SMAT 2025: KM Asif, the pacer who made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2018, wreaked havoc with a five-wicket haul to derail Mumbai’s run chase and help Sanju Samson-led Kerala register a 15-run win in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 clash at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow on December 4. Mumbai were cruising towards the target of 179 but they suffered a collapse and India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav became a part of it.
Sanju Samson makes powerplay overs count
Earlier, Kerala skipper Samson won the toss and opted to bat first. Samson got Kerala off to a blazing start. Shams Mulani got the breakthrough with Rohan Kunnummal's wicket in the fifth over. Samson missed his fifty as he was dismissed by Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur just after the powerplay overs. The opener hit eight fours and a six in his 28-ball 46.
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Sharafuddeen’s cameo in slog overs
Vishnu Vinod and Mohammed Azharuddeen shared a 65-run partnership for the third wicket. Sairaj Patil broke the partnership with Azharuddeen's wicket who scored 32 runs from 25 balls. Then Salman Nizar and Abdul Basith departed for single-digit score. It was Sharafuddeen's cameo that helped Kerala get to 178/5. He hit five fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 15-ball 35. On the other end, Vinod remained unbeaten for a 40-ball 43.
Sarfaraz scores fifty
In the run chase, young Ayush Mhatre was knocked over by Sharfuddeen in the first over. Ajinkya Rahane looked to score quickly in powerplay overs. Centurion of previous game, Sarfaraz Khan aimed to play the anchor role. Their partnership lasted 80 runs as Rahane was dismissed by Vignesh Puthur. In the 12th over, Sarfaraz fell after reaching his fifty. He scored 52 runs from 40 balls. When he departed, Mumbai needed 80 runs from eight overs.
Asif preys on desperate Mumbai batters
Shivam Dube failed to make an impact. He hit a six and a four each before getting stumped off wrist spinner Puthur's bowling. Then Asif got into the act, dismissing Patil, Suryakumar and Thakur in the 18th over. Suryakumar scored 32 runs from 25 balls. In the penultimate over, Mulani lost his wicket to MD Nidheesh. In the end, it was too tough a task to achieve for tailenders. Hardik Tamore became Asif's fifth wicket as Mumbai were bowled out for 163 with two balls to spare. Mumbai lost the their first game of the season after four consecutive wins.
Asif’s limited IPL opportunities
Asif made his IPL debut for CSK in 2018 but got only two games to play where he took three wickets. In IPL 2021, he played just one game and took one wicket. In IPL 2023, he donned Rajasthan Royals' (RR) colours under Samson's captaincy, played four games and bagged just three wickets at 46 apiece. Ahead of the mini-auction, Asif may find himself on the wishlist of an IPL franchise.