Saurav Mousum Dihingia's 63* steers Barpeta Braves to APL 2026 final
Synopsis
Saurav Mousum Dihingia's unbeaten 63 off 53 balls — stitched together with a 74-run fifth-wicket stand alongside Abhilash Maurya — turned a nervy chase into a statement win for Barpeta Braves, who now head into the inaugural APL 2026 final on Sunday. Local T20 cricket in Assam has a title decider worth watching.
Key Takeaways
Barpeta Braves beat Dibrugarh Warriors by five wickets in the APL 2026 semi-final on 21 August at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati .
Saurav Mousum Dihingia scored an unbeaten 63 off 53 balls (6 fours, 1 six) to anchor the chase.
Abhilash Maurya contributed 37 off 29 balls ; the pair added a decisive 74 runs for the fifth wicket.
Dibrugarh Warriors posted 134/7 in 20 overs, with Ayush Agarwal top-scoring at 45 not out off 29 balls .
Pranjal Paul was Barpeta's best bowler with figures of 2 for 27 .
Barpeta Braves will play the inaugural APL 2026 final on Sunday .
Saurav Mousum Dihingia anchored a composed chase with an unbeaten 63 off 53 balls as Barpeta Braves defeated Dibrugarh Warriors by five wickets in a tense semi-final of the 2026 Assam Premier League (APL) at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati, on Friday, 21 August. The win books Barpeta's place in the inaugural edition's title clash, scheduled for Sunday.
How Barpeta Chased Down the Target
Set 135 runs to win, Barpeta Braves stumbled early before Dihingia steadied the innings. The opener carried his bat throughout, striking six boundaries and a six in a knock that combined patience with calculated aggression.
Middle-order batter Abhilash Maurya provided the crucial support, contributing 37 off 29 balls with three fours and a six. The pair forged a match-winning 74-run fifth-wicket partnership, allowing Barpeta to seal the chase in 19.1 overs with their total reading 137/5.
Dibrugarh's Innings: A Competitive but Insufficient Total
Opting to bat first, Dibrugarh Warriors were restricted to 134/7 in their 20 overs. Ayush Agarwal top-scored with a brisk 45 not out off 29 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes, while Diwiz Pathak (27 off 17) and Nasir Ullah (26 off 20) offered useful contributions in the middle order. The total, however, proved just short of what the pitch could have yielded.
Key Bowling Performances
Pranjal Paul was Barpeta's standout bowler, finishing with figures of 2 for 27. For Dibrugarh in the chase, Sidhartha Sankar Baruah (2 for 27) and Doikho Das (2 for 33) picked up two wickets each but could not prevent the defeat.
Road to the Final
Barpeta Braves will now contest the final of the inaugural APL 2026 on Sunday at the ACA Stadium. This is a landmark moment for the franchise and for Assam's emerging T20 cricket circuit, which is drawing attention as a platform for local talent. Notably, Dihingia's unbeaten knock across a high-pressure semi-final underlines the depth of batting resources outside the traditional cricketing centres of India.
Brief Scores: Dibrugarh Warriors 134/7 in 20 overs (Ayush Agarwal 45*, Diwiz Pathak 27, Nasir Ullah 26; Pranjal Paul 2-27) lost to Barpeta Braves 137/5 in 19.1 overs (Saurav Mousum Dihingia 63*, Abhilash Maurya 37; Sidhartha Sankar Baruah 2-27, Doikho Das 2-33) by five wickets.
Point of View
Yet rarely do. If the final delivers similar individual quality, the APL could establish itself as more than a state-level novelty. The real question is whether Assam Cricket Association can sustain the broadcast and commercial momentum beyond the inaugural edition.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the APL 2026 semi-final between Barpeta Braves and Dibrugarh Warriors?
Barpeta Braves won by five wickets, chasing down 135 runs in 19.1 overs at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on 21 August 2026. They will now play in the inaugural APL final on Sunday.
How did Saurav Mousum Dihingia perform in the semi-final?
Dihingia scored an unbeaten 63 off 53 balls, hitting six boundaries and a six, to anchor Barpeta's chase. He also shared a match-winning 74-run fifth-wicket partnership with Abhilash Maurya.
What did Dibrugarh Warriors score in the APL 2026 semi-final?
Dibrugarh Warriors posted 134/7 in their 20 overs. Ayush Agarwal top-scored with 45 not out off 29 balls, supported by Diwiz Pathak (27) and Nasir Ullah (26).
When is the APL 2026 final?
The final of the inaugural Assam Premier League 2026 is scheduled for Sunday at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Barpeta Braves have confirmed their place in the title clash.
Who were the top bowlers in the Barpeta vs Dibrugarh semi-final?
Pranjal Paul was the standout bowler for Barpeta, taking 2 for 27. For Dibrugarh, Sidhartha Sankar Baruah (2 for 27) and Doikho Das (2 for 33) each picked up two wickets in a losing cause.
