The Tiger Sharks have been crowned the new champions of the Cook Islands Cricket Association 2025 T20 Super Slam Cricket Competition.

In the final held on Saturday at Turangi Oval in Ngatangiia, the Sharks defeated the King Wolves by three wickets to claim the title.

The two teams earned their spot in the final following six weeks of hard-fought round robin competition, finishing with four wins and two losses each.

In the playoffs, Wolves, who secured first place on net run rate, used that advantage to win the match against the Sharks to book a direct spot in the final. The Sharks eventually reached the final through the semi-final, defeating the Onu in a commanding performance.

In the final, the Wolves won the toss and chose to bat first.

The Nikao side made a jittery start after their top-order batsmen collapsed to strong Sharks bowling, losing five wickets for 55 runs. The Wolves lost their top hitters, the likes of Deacon Teapa, Pita Ravarua, Tomoare Pana and Pati Ataela, for cheap.

The Sharks looked in control and set for an early inning but the Wolves lower order batsmen, led by veteran Ripa Tauia, changed the tempo of the match.

Tauia delivered a stunning performance of 77 runs, including 11 fours and three sixes. This, combined with some unfortunate fielding errors from the Sharks, helped the Wolves achieve a defendable score of 156 for 7.

For the Sharks, bowler Kutimoa Yakilia was superb with his throws, claiming four wickets for 23 runs from his four overs.

In reply, the Sharks took a cautious and professional approach at the start, keeping the runs flowing in the opening few overs.

Things looked grim for the side after their top four batsmen were bowled out for 51, but the determined Sharks steadied their chase and built rhythm, ultimately securing a win by overcoming the target in 14.4 overs with the loss of seven wickets.

Man of the match Kunta Ritawa, in partnership with Ricky Opo, seized the moment for the Sharks as the pair hit a series of moonshot sixes to take control of the game.

Ritawa’s 62 from 25 with eight sixes was a championship performance, resulting in the Tiger Sharks becoming the champion of the Cook Islands Cricket Association Super Slam.

Itu Pana’s standout bowling for the Wolves – two wickets for just 18 runs in three overs – wasn’t enough to drown the mighty Sharks

Cook Islands Cricket Association thanked Apii Tangata for her scoring as well as James Thompson for umpiring the grand finale.