KPL: Mithun's late assault puts Bulls in final

Chasing a target of 158 in the second semifinal, Bijapur was in a spot of bother at 108 for five, needing 50 runs off the last four overs. But Mithun, who walked in at that stage, carried his side over the line with an unbeaten 12-ball 32.

Shoaib Manager's quick-fire 36 boosted Namma Shivamogga's total to 157.

A stunning late assault from Abhimanyu Mithun propelled Bijapur Bulls to a four-wicket victory over Namma Shivamogga and into the final of the Karnataka Premier League.

Chasing a target of 158 in the second semifinal at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium here on Friday, Bijapur was in a spot of bother at 108 for five, needing 50 runs off the last four overs. But Mithun, who walked in at that stage, carried his side over the line with an unbeaten 12-ball 32. The powerfully built fast bowler was dropped on nought and he made Shivamogga pay, clubbing two fours and two mighty sixes as Bijapur won with two balls to spare.

Dikshanshu Negi, who had retired hurt earlier complaining of dizziness, walked back in at the fall of the sixth wicket and kept Mithun company till the end, remaining unbeaten on 24. In Saturday's final, Bijapur will meet Belagavi Panthers.

Earlier, having been inserted in to bat, Shivamogga had Shoaib Manager's late blitz to thank for its total. Manager hammered a 12-ball-36, with three fours and three sixes, as his side managed 49 off the last four overs. Till that point, Shivamogga had been scoring at a sedate pace, with opener Liyan Khan's patient 48-ball 45 not complemented by aggression at the other end. Manager compensated for it somewhat, but it would prove just inadequate.