Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson lit up the Kerala Cricket League with a stunning century for the Kochi Blue Tigers in Thiruvananthapuram on August 24. But in the end, it was Muhammad Ashik who stole the spotlight, finishing the match in style with a six off the very last ball to hand his side a thrilling four-wicket win over the Aries Kollam Sailors.
This was Kochi’s third straight victory, which pushed them to the top of the KCL 2025 points table. On the other hand, Aries Kollam Sailors slipped to fourth, managing just one win from their three games so far. Samson and his team will be back in action against the Thrissur Titans on Tuesday, August 26, again in Thiruvananthapuram.
Muhammad Ashik’s Heroics in a Nail-Biting Finish
Chasing a stiff target of 237, Kochi needed 17 runs off the final over. Ashik came out swinging, hitting a four and a six off the first two balls. But bowler Sharafuddeen fought back, giving away just one run in the next three deliveries while also running out a batter.
That left Kochi needing six off the last ball. With all the pressure on him, Ashik stayed cool and launched one straight down the ground for six, dramatically sealing the victory. He remained unbeaten on 45 from just 18 balls, smashing three fours and five sixes. Kochi’s chase of 237 also went down as the highest successful run chase in Kerala Cricket League history.
The KCL’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) shared the video of Ashik’s last-ball six, and it quickly caught fire among fans.
From the jaws of defeat to the roar of victory! 🐯
The Kochi Blue Tigers pull off the highest chase in Federal Bank Kerala Cricket League history, and they seal it with a six off the last ball from Muhammad Ashik! Sanju Samson lit up the night with a blistering 121 off 51💥 pic.twitter.com/NYTskQWKK8
— Kerala Cricket League (@KCL_t20) August 24, 2025
Samson’s Century Sets the Stage
Earlier in the innings, Sanju Samson was the backbone of the chase. The Kochi skipper hammered 121 runs off only 51 balls, hitting 14 fours and seven sixes. After a slow start to the tournament, Samson roared back into form with a blazing fifty off just 16 balls – the fastest half-century of this season. Thanks to his fireworks, Kochi stormed past 100 runs inside the Powerplay.
He also stitched together a crucial 89-run partnership with Muhammad Shanu, who chipped in with 39 runs. Sanju Samson was dismissed on the first ball of the 19th over when Kochi were at 206, but his innings had already given them the momentum they needed.
With debates going on about his batting position for India, especially with Shubman Gill returning to the squad, Samson’s century as an opener will surely spark fresh discussions ahead of the Asia Cup.
Sanju Samson’s Thoughts After the Win
Sanju Samson, who was named Player of the Match, thanked the home fans for their passionate support and admitted that the pressure of playing in front of them wasn’t easy.
“It’s not easy to lose a game in front of your home crowd. So I thank all the people who turned up in huge numbers,” Sanju Samson said.
“To be very honest, I’m not much aware of the boys. But as much as I’m spending time with them, I’m getting very excited. Very exciting talent in the team. It’s a bit shocking to see we have so much talent in Kerala cricket.”
“I request that we have to put in some special eyes in the local games going on, especially all the players. In the next one or two years, we should see one more guy playing for the country. And I can see that happening. With this talent, I don’t think that we are much far away.”
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