Lucknow: The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium turned into a cauldron of noise, nerves, and nail-biting drama as the Lucknow Falcons (LFC) pulled off a thrilling 13-run win against the Kanpur Superstars (KSS) in Match 7 of the Uttar Pradesh Premier League (UP T20 League) 2025. The Falcons’ total of 184/5 proved just beyond the Superstars’ reach, as they ended on 171/6 in front of a buzzing evening crowd.
It was a contest that had everything – flying boundaries, crafty bowling, crucial turning points, and one man’s heroic yet lonely fight.
Falcons Take Flight: Samarth and Garg Set the Tone
Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a pitch known to favor batters, the Falcons’ strategy was clear: attack early, consolidate in the middle, and finish with a flourish.
Samarth Singh set the tone with a fearless 62 off 41 balls, striking seven crisp boundaries and two towering sixes. His confidence was evident from the outset, particularly when he dispatched Vineet Panwar through the covers and lofted Aaqib Khan over long-off.
At the other end, Priyam Garg played the perfect foil before shifting gears. His 54 off 36 balls combined placement with aggression, and his 85-run stand with Samarth for the second wicket gave Lucknow the platform they needed. Together, the pair neutralized Kanpur’s opening bowlers and ensured the Falcons dominated the powerplay at 60/1 in six overs.
There were stutters – Mohammad Saif (12 off 8) and Sameer Choudhary (15 off 12) fell cheaply – but Aaradhya Yadav’s unbeaten 28 off 14 was the late spark. The wicketkeeper-batsman’s brisk cameo, studded with three boundaries, alongside Kritagya Singh’s 18 off 10, powered the Falcons to a competitive 184/5.
For Kanpur, Shubham Mishra (2/34) was the standout, claiming two vital wickets. But expensive spells from Aaqib Khan (1/42) and Vineet Panwar (1/38) meant the Falcons ran away in the last eight overs, scoring nearly 11 runs per over.
Rizvi’s Lone Battle: A Captain’s Knock in Vain
The Superstars’ chase hinged on captain Sameer Rizvi, and he nearly pulled off the improbable. His scintillating 89 off 52 balls – laced with eight fours and four sixes – was a masterclass in pacing an innings. From deft cuts to audacious slog sweeps, Rizvi played every shot in the book, keeping his side in contention.
He found early support from Adarsh Singh (28 off 20) in a 50-run stand for the second wicket. But Adarsh’s dismissal to Akshu Bajwa in the 7th over triggered a slide. The Superstars lost three wickets for just 35 runs between overs 7–14, with Bajwa (2/28) and Vipraj Nigam (1/25) tightening the screws.
Abhishek Pandey (22 off 18) briefly revived hopes, but his dismissal in the 14th over left Kanpur needing 75 off the last six overs. Rizvi launched a counterattack, smashing Parv Singh for a six over midwicket and cutting Bhuvneshwar Kumar behind point. Yet, the task grew steeper as partners failed to stay with him.
The finishing overs belonged to the Falcons’ bowlers. Parv Singh (2/30) and Nigam nailed their yorkers, while Bhuvneshwar (0/35) used all his experience to choke boundaries. Despite Rizvi’s brilliance, Kanpur fell short at 171/6, heartbreakingly close but not enough.
Key Turning Points
- Powerplay Blitz: Lucknow’s 60/1 in six overs, led by Samarth, ensured scoreboard pressure from the start.
- Middle-Over Choke: Kanpur stumbled between overs 7–14, losing three wickets and crucial momentum.
- Rizvi’s Heroics: His 89 was the innings of the night, but the absence of partnerships cost Kanpur dearly.
- Death Over Discipline: Falcons conceded just 40 runs in the last four overs, closing out the match with precision.
The Stage and Conditions
Ekana’s pitch offered true bounce early, rewarding stroke play. But as the innings wore on, the surface slowed, aiding cutters and spinners. The absence of dew meant defending was easier, and Lucknow’s decision to bat first proved decisive.
Player of the Match
Samarth Singh deservedly took home the award for his 62 off 41 balls, which laid the foundation for the Falcons’ innings. His dominance in the powerplay tilted momentum Lucknow’s way.
Voices from the Dugout
Falcons’ skipper Vipraj Nigam praised his side’s composure:
“Samarth and Priyam gave us the platform, and the bowlers held their nerve. We believed 184 was defendable if we stuck to our plans.”
A dejected Sameer Rizvi admitted the lack of partnerships hurt:
“I tried to take it deep, but we kept losing wickets. Credit to Lucknow’s bowlers—they executed well at the death.”
Rivalry, Records, and Road Ahead
The Falcons vs Superstars rivalry has been one of UP T20’s most competitive. Kanpur still lead 3-2 in head-to-heads, but Lucknow’s win not only narrows that gap but also gives them vital momentum. The Falcons now boast two wins in three games, while Kanpur are under pressure after successive defeats.
- Next Fixtures:
- Lucknow Falcons vs Meerut Mavericks – August 22
- Kanpur Superstars vs Kashi Rudras – August 21
With performances like these, the UP T20 League 2025 continues to grow as a proving ground for young stars and a spectacle for fans.
The Ekana crowd got their money’s worth – a seesaw contest where a team effort edged out a solo masterclass. The Lucknow Falcons’ mix of batting firepower and bowling discipline carried them home. But the night belonged equally to Sameer Rizvi, whose lone fight nearly scripted an epic chase.
The UP T20 League has promised high-octane cricket, and this Lucknow-Kanpur clash was proof that it delivers – heart-stopping, edge-of-the-seat action, where every over counts and every mistake magnifies.
