Chennai: Karnataka held on to their nerve in a low scoring affair and beat Kerala to retain the Buchi Babu All India Cricket Tournament, here on Monday.
Chasing a target of 138, Karnataka faltered mid-way but recovered well to win by three wickets.
Resuming the day on 100-4, it looked like Karnataka would run down the target without much hassle they lost two quick wickets.
It was then C.M Gautam and Rajoo Bhatkal rose to the occasion and stitched an important 25 runs partnership to take their team close to victory. With one run required to win, Gautam however was out caught in the slips.
Mithun came out and without further delay hit a boundary of the first delivery to seal the match.
K.R Sreejith was the wrecker-in-chief for Kerala as he picked up four wickets by giving away just 57 runs.
The scores:
Kerala: 137 all out in 61.2 overs (Robert Fernandez 43; K P Appanna 4 for 35, Abhimanyu Mithun 3 for 36)
Karnataka: 141 for 7 in 33.3 overs (K B Pawan 32, Robin Uthappa 32; K R Sreejith 4/57).
By Indian Sports News Network
