In a nail-biting encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Punjab secured a dramatic two-wicket victory over Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26. The high-octane Super League Group A clash, played at the DY Patil Academy in Pune on Tuesday, saw Punjab chase down a mammoth target of 226 with five balls to spare, effectively ending Madhya Pradesh's campaign in the tournament.
Madhya Pradesh Set a Daunting Target
Choosing to bat first, Madhya Pradesh put on a formidable batting display, posting a challenging total of 225 for 8 in their 20 overs. The innings was powered by a classy knock from Venkatesh Iyer, who top-scored with a fluent 70 runs off just 43 balls. His innings was laced with eight boundaries and two sixes, setting a solid foundation.
He received valuable support from the middle order. Aniket Verma played a brisk cameo, scoring 31 runs from 16 deliveries, while Mangesh Yadav provided a late surge with a quickfire 28 off 12 balls. For Punjab, the bowling was put under severe pressure on a flat track. However, Gurnoor Brar managed to pick up 3 wickets for 45 runs, and Ramandeep Singh chipped in with crucial figures of 2 for 38, preventing Madhya Pradesh from running away with an even bigger score.
Punjab's Resilient Chase
Facing a steep chase of 226, Punjab suffered an early blow with the dismissal of Prabhsimran Singh. The responsibility then fell on opener Harnoor Singh, who played a magnificent innings to anchor the chase. Combining composure with calculated aggression, Harnoor smashed 64 runs off 36 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes, and kept Punjab firmly in the hunt.
The baton was then passed to Salil Arora, who maintained the blistering pace with a rapid half-century off just 29 balls. Just when Punjab seemed to be cruising, a late collapse of wickets reignited Madhya Pradesh's hopes, setting up a tense finale.
Ramandeep Singh Holds Nerve in Tense Finish
With the match hanging in the balance, all-rounder Ramandeep Singh showcased remarkable calm under pressure. Walking in at a critical juncture, he played a mature and unbeaten innings of 35 runs from 21 balls. With the game going down to the wire, Ramandeep fittingly finished the contest in style, launching a six off the very first ball of the final over to seal a memorable victory. Punjab finished at 226 for 8 in 19.1 overs.
The result marked a heartbreaking exit for Madhya Pradesh from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, while Punjab celebrated one of their most thrilling wins of the season, showcasing incredible batting depth and resilience in a high-pressure run-chase.
