Shakib's Kerala clinch T10 League title

Kerala Kings won the final match of the first T10 League by 8 wickets against Punjabi Legends at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday. With Eoin Morgan and Paul Stirling’s sparkling 100-plus run partnership, the highest of the tournament, Kerala finished the match while 12 balls were still remaining. Kerala captain Morgan bludgeoned 63 in 21 balls with the help of six 6s and five 4s, while Stirling remained unbeaten with 52 runs off 23.

Remember the name, save the date. Presenting the champions of Heera T10 League, @KeralaKingsT10 #BusAbDus pic.twitter.com/zHvlFaXQXT

— T10 League (@T10LeagueTweets) December 17, 2017

Kerala Kings had won the toss and elected to bowl first against Punjabi Legends. Punjabi Legends put 120 on board driven by blistering knocks of Shoaib Malik and Luke Ronchi in the final clash of first T10 League tournament.

Enough said. Enough done. Champions 2017 ? pic.twitter.com/IRW7OJkoPM

— Kerala kings (@KeralaKingsT10) December 17, 2017

The 100-run partnership between Ronchi (70) and Malik (26) helped pile a formidable but chasable target of 121. For his dazzling performance, the Kerala skipper was named, Man of the Match, Spirit of the Match and Beyond Boundaries. Talking to Ramiz Raja in the end, skipper runner-up team Misbah said, “Yeah, I enjoyed it very much but I don’t know if bowlers liked it as it was very much difficult for them with good pitches and short boundaries.”

True legends find victory even in defeats. Well played @PunjabiLegends_ #BusAbDus pic.twitter.com/jNHS7ZTHPQ

— T10 League (@T10LeagueTweets) December 17, 2017

Morgan said, “I have not played innings like this (as in T10 League). I had in mind to ride from the get going after PL gave us impressive target.” Earlier, Kerala Kings beat Maratha Arabians by five wickets, while PL beat Pakhtoon Team by nine wickets in the semi-finals.BRIEF SCOREKerala Kings 121/2 in 8 overs (Morgan 63, Stiring 52*) beat Punjabi Legends 120/3 (Ronchi 70, Malik 26) by 8 wickets