Leicestershire 273 for 5 (Rishi Patel 110, Shaikh 104*, Ryan Patel 3-44) defeated Surrey 270 for 9 (Ryan Patel 97, Thomas 57, de Swardt 4-49, Davey 3-46) by five wickets
The two Patels, both opening batsmen and wearing the No. 26 shirt, delivered standout performances in a high-scoring encounter. Ryan Patel took 3 for 44 from nine overs of medium pace in a valiant but unsuccessful effort to secure victory for Surrey, while Rishi Patel’s explosive century proved decisive for Leicestershire.
Rishi Patel and Shaikh forged a crucial third-wicket partnership of 122, with Shaikh accelerating late in the innings by launching four sixes. Their partnership, supported by a quickfire 18 off 12 balls from Ruan de Swardt (two sixes), ensured Leicestershire comfortably chased down 61 runs from the final 10 overs.
Adam Thomas, 20, earlier anchored Surrey’s innings with Ryan Patel, adding 144 in 27 overs for the second wicket. Despite Woodbridge Road’s short boundaries and favorable batting conditions, Surrey failed to fully capitalize on their opportunities.
De Swardt starred with the ball, claiming 4 for 49 from his ten overs, while Josh Davey delivered a disciplined spell of 3 for 46 as Leicestershire’s bowlers kept Surrey in check.
Ryan Patel top-scored with 97…•Philip Brown/Getty Images/Surrey CCC
Rishi Patel, who will join Hampshire after the season, dominated Leicestershire’s chase from the outset, launching his innings with a six off Benji Floros’s first delivery and a four off the next. He finished with two sixes and 15 fours from 109 balls before being dismissed by Ryan Patel’s third spell.
By the time Patel fell, Leicestershire had reached 182 for 3, leaving Shaikh to steer the team to victory with 104 not out from 74 balls.
Surrey’s innings began with Dom Sibley’s early dismissal for 11, caught behind off Josh Davey. Leicestershire’s seamers exploited a lively pitch, but Ryan Patel and Thomas countered with measured aggression, with Patel racing to his fifty in 56 balls.
Ryan Patel’s explosive batting continued with two sixes over long-on, rekindling memories of his 70-ball 131 in the same competition in 2021. Thomas, in form after a match-winning 82 not out against Lancashire, added six fours before being caught deep for 57.
… then struck with the new ball•Philip Brown/Getty Images/Surrey CCC
Rory Burns partnered Patel briefly before falling to de Swardt for 27, and Josh Blake was lbw to de Swardt first ball after Patel’s aggressive sweep shot fell short of a fifth List A century. The lower order struggled against Leicestershire’s tight bowling, allowing the total to subside from a promising position.
