Kuwait: The second season of the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) concluded under floodlights in Kuwait, with Shining Mangalore Kuwait emerging as champions after a strong run through the tournament.

The competition featured seven teams made up exclusively of players from Karnataka. Matches were played over two weeks and marked the first-ever floodlight cricket tournament organised for the Karnataka community in Kuwait.

In the first semifinal, MKCC faced Black Panther. After winning the toss and opting to field, MKCC restricted Black Panther to 28 for six in five overs. MKCC chased the target comfortably, winning by eight wickets. Husain Shaikh was named Man of the Match for his performance.

In the second semifinal, Shining Mangalore took on Ayansh Oriental 11. Electing to field, Shining Mangalore limited their opponents to 38 for five in five overs. They went on to chase the target successfully, winning by seven wickets. Rifaz Malik, who scored 17 runs off nine balls, received the Man of the Match award.

In the final, MKCC posted 51 for three in five overs. Shining Mangalore chased down the total with confidence, winning by eight wickets to clinch the championship trophy. Musthafa Kalladka was awarded Man of the Match in the final.

Melrick Dsouza was declared Man of the Series and Best Batsman for his consistent performances throughout the tournament. Rakesh Kumar of Black Panther was named Best Bowler. Siddik Ranthadka received the Best Fielder award, while Firoz Jeppu was recognised as Best Wicket Keeper.

The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Chief Guest Soudhan Shetty of Oriental Hotel, Satheesh of Karavali Hotel, Hussain Bava of Hotel Sangeetha, Naveen William, owner of MKCC, Shareef Vamanjoor of Amal Mustaqbal, Ibrahim Muloor of Kuwait Express Cargo, Latheef Vamanjoor of Time Zone Watches, Thameem Moosa Ullal, manager of Shining Mangalore, along with Bader Muneer Uchila, Sunil Dsouza and Ishwar Moolya.

The tournament was organised by Tuluva Brothers Kuwait, with coordination and support from Naresh, Ravi Poojari and Sourabh Shetty from Mangalore. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Clinton.

Organisers said the successful conduct of KPL Season 2 reflected the strong unity and passion for cricket among the Karnataka community in Kuwait and laid the groundwork for future editions of the tournament.

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Kundapur: Two persons died and several students were injured after a college tour bus rammed into a tanker and a goods lorry parked by the roadside near Maravanthe Beach in Trasi on Wednesday afternoon.

The bus was carrying final-year B.Com students of Rambhapuri College from Shivamogga district. According to sources, the group had left for the tour two days ago.

There were around 50 persons in the bus, including 24 male students and 23 female students.

The students had visited Murdeshwar and were travelling towards Udupi on Wednesday when the accident occurred.

Police said the bus driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, following which the bus first hit a parked gas tanker and then crashed into a goods lorry stationed ahead.

The front portion of the bus was badly mangled in the impact. Preliminary information said the bus cleaner and a cooking assistant travelling with the group died in the accident. Several injured students were shifted to different hospitals in Kundapur for treatment.