Kashmir, December 1, 2025 – Jammu & Kashmir delivered a commanding performance to defeat Bihar by 34 runs in a thrilling Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy clash at Eden Gardens on Sunday. The victory showcased a brilliant combination of explosive batting and lethal bowling.
Batting first, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) posted a competitive 159 runs, propelled by a scintillating half-century from Qamran Iqbal, who scored 64 off 40 balls, including 7 boundaries and 3 sixes. Yawar Hassan and captain Kanhaiya Wadhawan added valuable 27 runs each, while Abdul Samad contributed 16 runs, laying a solid foundation for a formidable total.
Bihar’s bowlers put up a fight, with Sahib Hussain, MD Izhar, and S Gani picking up 2 wickets each, while Khalid and Suraj Kashyap claimed one wicket apiece. However, they struggled to contain the J&K batting line-up, which kept the scoreboard ticking.
In reply, Bihar managed 125 runs, falling short of the target. Akash Raj top-scored with 28 runs, supported by Suraj Kashyap’s 21 and useful contributions of 19 runs each from Pratap and Bipin Sourabh. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed cheaply for 5 runs by Aquib Nabi.
The star of the match was Aquib Nabi, who delivered a sensational bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for 16 runs in his 4 overs. He received support from Yudhvir Singh and Murugan Ashwin, who picked up 2 wickets each, and Umran Malik, who claimed a crucial breakthrough. The J&K bowling unit consistently applied pressure, ensuring Bihar never regained momentum.
Brig Anil Gupta, commenting on the victory, said, “The team is in good spirits despite the skipper being on the injury list. Explosive batting from Qamran Iqbal and sharp, accurate bowling by Aquib Nabi were the hallmark of the match. It’s a tough pool, but I am confident our team will continue to perform.”
The win propels Jammu & Kashmir forward in the tournament, highlighting their team cohesion, individual brilliance, and determination to excel in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26.
