Lucknow: Kanpur Superstars turned on the heat at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, storming to a commanding eight-wicket win over Lucknow Falcons in the 22nd match of the Uttar Pradesh Premier League (UPPL) 2025. Sameer Rizvi was the star of the show, blasting a whirlwind 70* off just 31 balls to take his side past the 163-run target with 26 balls to spare.
Falcons Post a Fighting 162
Asked to bat first, the Lucknow Falcons got off to a steady start. Young opener Aaradhya Yadav anchored the innings with a well-paced 59 off 44 balls, striking six boundaries and three sixes. He was ably supported by Mohammad Saif, who compiled a brisk 43 from 31 deliveries.
The duo ensured Lucknow had a solid foundation at 121/2 after 16 overs. However, a cluster of wickets in the final four overs derailed their momentum. Kritagya Singh (26 off 20) and Sameer Choudhary (15 off 6) added fireworks, but Kanpur’s bowlers hit back strongly at the death.
Rahul Sharma’s clever variations yielded 2/43, while Daman Deep Singh and Vineet Panwar chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. The Falcons ultimately finished on 162/8, a score that looked competitive on a true batting surface but perhaps 15–20 runs short considering the firepower in Kanpur’s line-up.
Kanpur’s Reply: Measured Start, Explosive Finish
Chasing 163, the Superstars began cautiously. Deepak Rajput (21 off 20) played some attractive strokes but fell to Vipraj Nigam in the sixth over. Shaurya Singh, however, counterattacked with a quickfire 36 from 22 balls, including three sixes, to keep Kanpur in the hunt.
At 69/2 in the eighth over, Lucknow sensed an opening. But that was the moment Sameer Rizvi walked in—and completely transformed the contest.
Rizvi’s Power-Hitting Exhibition
Initially circumspect, Rizvi unleashed a brutal assault once he settled in. His first six came off Nigam, and from then on there was no stopping him. Between overs 13 and 15, Rizvi smashed six towering sixes and two boundaries, effectively ending Lucknow’s resistance.
Partnering with Adarsh Singh (22* off 20), Rizvi stitched together an unbeaten 94-run stand for the third wicket. His 31-ball 70* was a masterclass in clean striking—straight drives sailing over long-on, flicks over mid-wicket, and disdainful lofts over long-off.
By the 16th over, Rizvi finished the chase in style with yet another six, sealing a thumping win for Kanpur with 26 deliveries left unused.
Bowling Struggles for Lucknow
For the Falcons, the bowling lacked bite in the middle and death overs. Despite early control from Abhinandan Singh and Akshu Bajwa, their inability to contain Rizvi proved costly.
Karan Chaudhary (1/47) and Vipraj Nigam (1/26) were the only wicket-takers, but both went for plenty once Rizvi cut loose. Bajwa’s 0/43 in four overs particularly highlighted Lucknow’s struggles in executing yorkers and slower deliveries under pressure.
Player of the Match: Sameer Rizvi
There were no surprises when Sameer Rizvi was adjudged Player of the Match. His unbeaten 70 from 31 deliveries showcased why he is regarded as one of the brightest young finishers in the UPPL circuit. His strike rate of 225.80 was testimony to the sheer dominance he displayed once he got going.
“I just wanted to play my natural game. Once I connected a few, I knew we could chase this down comfortably. Credit to Shaurya and Adarsh for their support at the other end,” Rizvi said after receiving the award.
What This Win Means
This emphatic victory keeps the Kanpur Superstars firmly in the race for the playoffs. Their batting looks formidable, especially with Rizvi and Shaurya Singh in prime touch. The bowling, too, has shown discipline at the death, restricting sides from going past 170.
On the other hand, Lucknow Falcons face a tough road ahead. Despite consistent contributions from Aaradhya Yadav and Saif, their middle and lower order has faltered under pressure. Moreover, the lack of execution in death overs remains a glaring weakness.
Score Summary
Lucknow Falcons (20 overs): 162/8
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Aaradhya Yadav 59 (44), Mohammad Saif 43 (31), Kritagya Singh 26 (20)
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Rahul Sharma 2/43, Vineet Panwar 1/31, Daman Deep Singh 1/29
Kanpur Superstars (15.4 overs): 163/2
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Sameer Rizvi 70* (31), Shaurya Singh 36 (22), Adarsh Singh 22* (20)
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Karan Chaudhary 1/47, Vipraj Nigam 1/26
Result: Kanpur Superstars won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Sameer Rizvi
Final Word
On a day when Lucknow Falcons seemed to have put up a par total, Kanpur Superstars’ sheer batting firepower—spearheaded by the brilliance of Sameer Rizvi—made all the difference. With playoffs looming, Kanpur appear well-settled, while Lucknow must regroup quickly if they are to revive their campaign in the Uttar Pradesh Premier League 2025.
