In a stunning display of power-hitting, Salman Nizar etched his name into Kerala Cricket League (KCL) history on Saturday, August 30, 2025, during a match between the Calicut Globstars and Adani Trivandrum Royals. Nizar, representing the Globstars, unleashed an unbelievable onslaught, smashing 11 sixes off his final 13 deliveries at Greenfield International Stadium. This feat left the opposition shell-shocked and fans in awe.
The left-handed batsman came to the crease in the 14th over and initially struggled to find partners. With the Globstars at 115/6 after 18 overs, it seemed the Royals were in control. However, Nizar had other plans. He exploded in the 19th over bowled by Basil Thampi, hitting five consecutive sixes and taking a single off the last ball, accumulating 31 runs. But he wasn't done yet.
In a breathtaking final over, Nizar turned Abhijith Praveen into a "walking nightmare," hitting six towering maximums. The over yielded a staggering 40 runs, including a wide and a double on a no-ball. Nizar's incredible hitting display propelled the Calicut Globstars to a formidable total of 186/6. He finished with an unbeaten 86 off just 26 balls, a knock that included 12 sixes and a mind-boggling strike rate of 330.76. Of those 86 runs, 71 came in the last two overs.
Fans and cricket enthusiasts were quick to react to Nizar's sensational performance. Social media platforms buzzed with excitement, with many users expressing their disbelief and admiration. One fan noted that Nizar's innings was "absolute cinema", while another quipped that he had turned the ground into a "launchpad".
The Trivandrum Royals, in their chase, were ultimately defeated, getting bowled out for 173 in 19.3 overs, losing by 13 runs. After a shaky start, Sanjeev Satheresan tried to revive the innings, but the Royals continued to lose wickets. Akhul Scaria starred with the ball for the Calicut Globstars, taking 3 wickets.
Nizar, who is 28 years old, has been in impressive form in the KCL 2025 season. Before this match, he had already amassed 296 runs in six matches for the Calicut Globstars, holding the position of the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
The KCL 2025 is the second edition of Kerala's premier domestic T20 competition, organized by the Kerala Cricket Association. The tournament is being held from August 21 to September 7, 2025, at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Six teams are participating: Alleppey Ripples, Trivandrum Royals, Aries Kollam Sailors, Kochi Blue Tigers, Calicut Globstars, and Thrissur Titans. Indian international Sanju Samson is a star player for the Kochi Blue Tigers.
As of August 30, 2025, the Kochi Blue Tigers are at the top of the KCL 2025 points table, followed by the Calicut Globstars and the Thrissur Titans.
Salman Nizar's unbelievable power-hitting display will surely be remembered as one of the most extraordinary moments in the KCL history.