172/9 (20.0)
CR : 8.60
194/6 (20.0)
CR : 9.70
North Mumbai Panthers won by 22 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Ayush Vartak
83(41)*
Over 20
Aakash Tigers MWS 172/9
Kruthik Hanagavadi5(5)
Naman Pushpak2(2)
Mohit Avasthi0-50(4.0)
NMP won by 22 runs
10:43PM IST, Local Time: North Mumbai Panthers have won beaten Aakash Tigers MWS by 22 runs in what has been a trial by spin at the Wankhede Stadium. Vaibhav Mali bowled a brilliant spell, picking 3 for 15 runs in 4 overs and Ayush Vartak in the first innings scored an unbeaten 83 off 41 balls, inspiring the team to another win.
Earlier in the day, the skipper of Aakash Tigers MWS, Shams Mulani, won the toss and opted to bowl first. The first innings of North Mumbai Panters, was an innings defined by aggressive intent in the middle overs, recovering brilliantly from early setbacks to set up a massive chase for the Tigers.
The Panthers' innings got off to a turbulent start as the Aakash Tigers' bowling attack struck early, putting immediate pressure on Ajinkya Rahane's side. However, the momentum completely shifted thanks to a blistering knock from Anish Chaudhery, who anchored the middle phase with a rapid 44 off just 28 balls, clearing the ropes with ease. He found excellent support from Abhigyan Kundu (20 off 13), pushing the scoring rate past 8 runs an over and unsettling the Tigers' spinners.
While the Tigers managed to claw back with timely breakthroughs in the death overs, led by disciplined spell variations. The Panthers' lower-middle order ensured there was no drop in intensity. Ayush Vartak played a scintillating innings, scoring all around the ground. He scored an unbeaten 83 off 41 balls, with 3 fours and 7 sixes, capitalizing on the short square boundaries and a quick outfield, he pushed the final total to a formidable 194.
Coming out to chase 195, the Tigers were off to a flyer. Sarfaraz Khan walked out to bat an impact sub and took the game on, on his head. He smashed the bowlers all around, and ended up scoring the fastest 50 in the history of Mumbai T20 League, in 17 balls. Sarfaraz Khan scored 62 off just 21 balls, with 8 fours and 4 sixes in the powerplay, taking the game away from the Panthers.
However, just after the powerplay, the Panthers found a way back in, as the spinners spun their web. Wankhede became a venue for trial by spin and the Tigers were placed on a choke-hold. Wickets kept falling on one end and the boundaries had stopped coming.
The Tigers made a slight comeback into the game, when Saksham Parashar played a cameo, belting 3 sixes and a four, adding 29 runs in just 15 balls. However, that was not enough, as no other batter from Aakash Tigers MWS showed up to the rescue and the team collapsed in the final overs. Vaibhav Mali was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings, as he picked 3 wickets for just 15 runs in 4 overs, picking the wickets of deadly Sarfaraz Khan, Ajit Yadav and Saksham Parashar.
North Mumbai Panthers have beaten Aakash Mumbai MWS by 22 runs and registered their third straight win in 3 games and they are comfortably poised at the top of the table.
Earlier in the day, the skipper of Aakash Tigers MWS, Shams Mulani, won the toss and opted to bowl first. The first innings of North Mumbai Panters, was an innings defined by aggressive intent in the middle overs, recovering brilliantly from early setbacks to set up a massive chase for the Tigers.
The Panthers' innings got off to a turbulent start as the Aakash Tigers' bowling attack struck early, putting immediate pressure on Ajinkya Rahane's side. However, the momentum completely shifted thanks to a blistering knock from Anish Chaudhery, who anchored the middle phase with a rapid 44 off just 28 balls, clearing the ropes with ease. He found excellent support from Abhigyan Kundu (20 off 13), pushing the scoring rate past 8 runs an over and unsettling the Tigers' spinners.
While the Tigers managed to claw back with timely breakthroughs in the death overs, led by disciplined spell variations. The Panthers' lower-middle order ensured there was no drop in intensity. Ayush Vartak played a scintillating innings, scoring all around the ground. He scored an unbeaten 83 off 41 balls, with 3 fours and 7 sixes, capitalizing on the short square boundaries and a quick outfield, he pushed the final total to a formidable 194.
Coming out to chase 195, the Tigers were off to a flyer. Sarfaraz Khan walked out to bat an impact sub and took the game on, on his head. He smashed the bowlers all around, and ended up scoring the fastest 50 in the history of Mumbai T20 League, in 17 balls. Sarfaraz Khan scored 62 off just 21 balls, with 8 fours and 4 sixes in the powerplay, taking the game away from the Panthers.
However, just after the powerplay, the Panthers found a way back in, as the spinners spun their web. Wankhede became a venue for trial by spin and the Tigers were placed on a choke-hold. Wickets kept falling on one end and the boundaries had stopped coming.
The Tigers made a slight comeback into the game, when Saksham Parashar played a cameo, belting 3 sixes and a four, adding 29 runs in just 15 balls. However, that was not enough, as no other batter from Aakash Tigers MWS showed up to the rescue and the team collapsed in the final overs. Vaibhav Mali was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings, as he picked 3 wickets for just 15 runs in 4 overs, picking the wickets of deadly Sarfaraz Khan, Ajit Yadav and Saksham Parashar.
North Mumbai Panthers have beaten Aakash Mumbai MWS by 22 runs and registered their third straight win in 3 games and they are comfortably poised at the top of the table.
Shams Mulani (Aakash Tigers MWS Captain): "(What more you could have done?) I think it was matter of a wicket there. They played really well. Ayush played well and took the game deep. They batted well and I think the run was chase-able. Just bunch of wickets lost and fell behind.
(On Sarfaraz Khan's knock) It is great. He has not been well but he came up and played for the team. Kudos to him for the character he showed today. It was really important for us because we are still not out of the tournament.
(What are you going to talk in the dressing room now?) I think we can sit back and chat. We should take the positives out of it. We finished the first innings really well. The start we had was amazing. We should have capitalized on it but we failed to do so."
(On Sarfaraz Khan's knock) It is great. He has not been well but he came up and played for the team. Kudos to him for the character he showed today. It was really important for us because we are still not out of the tournament.
(What are you going to talk in the dressing room now?) I think we can sit back and chat. We should take the positives out of it. We finished the first innings really well. The start we had was amazing. We should have capitalized on it but we failed to do so."
Time for the post match presentation.
Player of the match: Ayush Vartak
Ayush Vartak (Player of the Match): "(How does it feel to share the dressing room with stalwarts like Ajinkya Rahane and Jatin Paranjpe?) Yes I am grateful to the Mumbai Cricket Association and all the Apex council for this opportunity. Playing alongside Ajinkya Rahane, competing with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur and playing alongside them is good. They have given me the freedom and it is the best thing for a youngster.
(What was your game plan?) As a Mumbai cricketer, I always look to adopt quickly. We play at the Maidans and also in the grounds. We have to adopt because the grounds are not as flat as here. Amount of matches we play is enormous. I tried to dominate the bowlers. That's it.
(About the fitness) I would say that I enjoy my fielding. Because you can always contribute with fielding anytime."
(What was your game plan?) As a Mumbai cricketer, I always look to adopt quickly. We play at the Maidans and also in the grounds. We have to adopt because the grounds are not as flat as here. Amount of matches we play is enormous. I tried to dominate the bowlers. That's it.
(About the fitness) I would say that I enjoy my fielding. Because you can always contribute with fielding anytime."
Ajinkya Rahane (North Mumbai Panthers Skipper): "I am just thinking one game at a time but really happy with the win. I thought 190 on this pitch was really good but at one point we were actually thinking of 160-170. But, the batters did a really good job, keeping themselves calm and bringing us back. Ayush and that partnership was amazing. And, then 6 overs 80 in the powerplay and then after that making that comeback. We know chasing 190 on this wicket, we were one wicket away every time.
(On the 3 different man of the match winners) The talent has been amazing. Not only in our team but through out Mumbai. Everyone is watching this format, and showcasing their talent whenever they are getting the opportunity. In Mumbai Cricket, it is never about talent, it is always about the mindset, which Mumbai Cricket Association is providing.
(On being relaxed after 3 wins) Absolutely not, as I said, one game at a time. Cricket teaches you a lot, whatever has happened in the past is past and whatever will happen is not in your control. What you have is this moment. This format is all about being proactive, staying ahead of your opposition and reading the game accordingly."
(On the 3 different man of the match winners) The talent has been amazing. Not only in our team but through out Mumbai. Everyone is watching this format, and showcasing their talent whenever they are getting the opportunity. In Mumbai Cricket, it is never about talent, it is always about the mindset, which Mumbai Cricket Association is providing.
(On being relaxed after 3 wins) Absolutely not, as I said, one game at a time. Cricket teaches you a lot, whatever has happened in the past is past and whatever will happen is not in your control. What you have is this moment. This format is all about being proactive, staying ahead of your opposition and reading the game accordingly."
That's a wrap of our coverage from the 10th T20 match of the ongoing Mumbai T20 League 2026 game between Aakash Tigers MWS & North Mumbai Panthers. After a grueling battle, North Mumbai Panthers, led by the brilliant captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane, managed to cross the line and remain unbeaten in the first three games of the league. Meanwhile, Aakash Tigers MWS, have lost their second game in three fixtures, and will be looking to get back to winning ways.
For now, this is Utsav Chandak, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Saptak Sanyal and the scorer/analyst of the fixture, Ashok Dayma.
For now, this is Utsav Chandak, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Saptak Sanyal and the scorer/analyst of the fixture, Ashok Dayma.