Madurai Panthers produced a commanding all-round display to defeat Nellai Royal Kings by 72 runs, secure a playoff place and finish on top of the TNPL 2026 points table.
After early wickets put Madurai under pressure, Hari Ragavendra and Shoaib Mohammed rebuilt the innings with a 60-run partnership. Shoaib struck his maiden TNPL half-century on the way to 65, before Atheeq Ur Rahman added a late fifty to lift the Panthers to 198.
Shoaib carried his form into the second innings by dismissing both Nellai openers inside the powerplay. P Vignesh maintained the pressure, while Gurjapneet Singh removed the well-set Ajitesh and then Muhammed Adnan Khan to shut down the chase.
The emphatic victory sent Madurai into Qualifier 1 with momentum. Shoaib Mohammed was named Player of the Match for his decisive contributions with bat and ball.