Twitter Reactions: Bowlers and Sarfaraz Khan help Mumbai to clinch first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title

A disciplined bowling effort from Mumbai led by the duo of Mohit Avasthi and Tanush Kotian and a composed finishing touch by Sarfaraz Khan at the end helped Mumbai to bag their first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title as they defeated Himachal Pradesh by three wickets at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, November 5.

After winning the toss in the summit clash, Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane invited the Rishi Dhawan-led Himachal Pradesh side to put up a score on the board. Mumbai bowlers proved straightaway that Rahane's decision was absolutely correct as they made early inroads in Himachal's batting line-up and never allowed their batters to break the shackles at any stage.

Languishing at the score of 58 for the loss of six wickets in 9.4 overs, Himachal were under the scare of getting folded even before playing their quota of 20 overs.

But a spirited display from the pair of Akash Vasisht (25 runs off 22 balls) and Ekant Sen (37 runs off 29 balls) saw them put a respectable total on the board. Both Akash and Ekant added a sixty-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Akash was removed by Aman Hakim Khan in the 18th over.

Ekant too got out in the next over while trying to up the ante. But left-arm off-spinner Mayank Dagar played a valiant cameo of 21* runs off just 12 balls, including two fours and one six to guide Himachal to 143.

In pursuit of their maiden title, Mumbai too got off to a jittery start as they lost opener Prithvi Shaw and skipper Rahane inside the first five overs. But useful contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal (27 runs off 28 balls), Shreyas Iyer (34 runs off 26 balls) and a calm-headed knock from Sarfaraz (36* off 31 balls) sealed the deal in Mumbai's favour as they won the contest with three balls to  spare.

Here's how Twitter reacted to Mumbai's win:

Mumbai - The champions of SMAT 2022. pic.twitter.com/VpVrT9vlNb

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) November 5, 2022

Sarfaraz Khan and Tanush Kotian starred as Mumbai beat Himachal Pradesh by 3 wickets to win their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.@ajinkyarahane88@AjinkyaRahane13
#SyedMushtaqAliT20 #smat2022 #Mumbai # pic.twitter.com/URKCXmqHwF

— Yash Anvekar (@rutik_03) November 5, 2022

That maiden #SMAT title winning feeling 🤩💙🏆#OneFamily #SMAT2022 #HPvMUM #SyedMushtaqAliT20 @BCCIpic.twitter.com/ytLiOs7oIL

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 5, 2022

The most consistent player in domestic cricket delivers again for his team. Congrats @MumbaiCricAssoc on winning #SyedMushtaqAliTrophy
Sarfaraz surely deserves India call for test 💯#sarfarazkhan #Cricket #SyedMushtaqAliT20 #smat2022 #India

— मीन दास (@NdasMl) November 5, 2022

Winners of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022-23, Mumbai, With their Maiden title. #smat2022 #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/j480N1BoOp

— Resanth. (@Cric_Resanth) November 5, 2022

Congrats to Mumbai on their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, amazing finish to chase by Sarfaraz and Tanush. Well done to Himachal Pradesh for keeping Mumbai under pressure in majority of chase. #SMAT2022

— Niharika Raina (@niharika_raina) November 5, 2022

#smat2022

Mumbai has lifted the SMAT 2022 🏆 by defeating Himachal Pradesh by 3 wickets.

Well played Team Mumbai 🇮🇳💪🏻🏏#shivamdube #shreyasiyer #prithvishaw #ajinks #sarfarazkhan #yashasvijaiswal

— Deepak Blessed Kumar 🇮🇳 (@dBlessedSoul) November 5, 2022

Mumbai are the Champions of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy.

1st title for Mumbai as Ajinkya Rahane's team beats Himachal Pradesh.#SyedMushtaqAliT20 #smat2022

— Sumit Sundriyal 🇮🇳 (@SumitSun14) November 5, 2022