Barpeta Braves became the first champions of the Assam Premier League after beating Guwahati Royals by five wickets in the final at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.
Chasing 166, Barpeta reached 166 for five in 18.5 overs. Arun Sonar’s unbeaten 34 off 20 balls helped the side complete the chase with seven deliveries remaining. Guwahati, meanwhile, were bowled out for 165 in 19.4 overs.
Barpeta Braves make a strong start
Barpeta Braves elected to bowl after winning the toss and initially faced a difficult challenge from Guwahati. Opener Rohit Sen attacked from the start and made 90 off 37 balls, with 10 fours and six sixes.
Sen’s aggressive innings gave the Royals early momentum. Rishav Das also added 34 from 34 balls, but Barpeta’s bowlers recovered after the opening partnership was broken.
Pranjal Paul was particularly effective, taking two wickets for 18 runs from four overs. Shubham Kumar Gupta and Dipjyoti Saikia also claimed two wickets each. As a result, Guwahati lost wickets regularly and were all out before completing their 20 overs.
The Royals still posted a competitive 165. However, the late wickets prevented them from pushing the total closer to 180, which could have increased the pressure on the chasing side.
Barpeta Braves hold their nerve
Barpeta Braves started the chase positively, although Saurav Dihingia fell for a quick 33 from 16 balls. His innings included six fours and a six and gave the chase early momentum.
Hrishikesh Das then contributed 35, helping steady the innings. Abhilash Maurya added 24 from 20 balls before Mukhtar Hussain dismissed him with the target within reach.
The Royals took five wickets, but they could not create a decisive collapse. Sonar then took control of the closing stages. He struck six fours during his unbeaten 34 and maintained the scoring rate when the required total was still within reach.
Gaurav Thakuria remained unbeaten on 10. Together, the pair completed the chase in 18.5 overs, giving Barpeta a five-wicket victory and the inaugural league trophy.
Barpeta Braves finish a consistent campaign
The title capped a strong second half of the tournament for Barpeta. The team finished the league stage with 14 points and carried that momentum into the knockout rounds.
Barpeta had also beaten Guwahati earlier in the league stage. On August 13, they chased down 137 with four wickets in hand, with Denish Das scoring 52 off 41 balls.
The side then defeated Dibrugarh Warriors by five wickets in the first semi-final on August 21. Dibrugarh scored 134 for seven, while Barpeta reached 137 for five in 19.1 overs.
That result set up a repeat meeting with Guwahati in the title match. The final victory therefore gave Barpeta a second win over the Royals in the competition.
Guwahati Royals fall short after strong batting
Guwahati Royals entered the final after defeating Barak Legends by seven wickets in the second semi-final. Their batting had also been one of the notable features of their campaign.
Rohit Sen underlined that strength in the final with his 90. However, his dismissal for 90 proved a turning point. The Royals moved from 112 for two to 165 all out as Barpeta tightened its bowling and fielding.
For Guwahati, the defeat ended a campaign that had taken them to the inaugural final. They will now finish the first Assam Premier League season as runners-up.
Barpeta Braves make history in Assam
Barpeta Braves closed the tournament with successive knockout victories and became the first team to lift the Assam Premier League trophy.
The final also highlighted the balance that carried them through the decisive matches. Their bowlers recovered after a fast start from Guwahati, while their batters kept the chase under control despite losing wickets.
Overall, the five-wicket win gave Barpeta the inaugural title and a place in the league’s history. Guwahati’s strong batting effort made the final competitive, but Barpeta’s composure in both innings ultimately decided the championship.