LUCKNOW, Aug. 17 -- Kashi Rudras survived a valiant unbeaten 71 from Sameer Rizvi but chased down 164 to beat Kanpur Superstars by eight wickets in Match 4 of the UP T20 League Season 4, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Sunday. The defending champions recorded the highest successful chase of the season so far, reaching their target in 18.1 overs courtesy of a match-defining 135-run stand between Delhi men Abhishek Goswami and captain Karan Sharma. Electing to field, the Rudras conceded a competitive 163/4 in 20 overs as Kanpur exploited helpful batting conditions. The backbone of the Superstars' innings was skipper Rizvi's unbeaten 71 off 47 balls, containing eight fours and two towering sixes. Rizvi's controlled aggression anchored the innings and propelled Kanpur to the highest team total of the tournament to date, with useful contributions from others at the crease. Kashi's chase began cautiously and suffered an early blow when Uvaish Ahmed was dismissed in the third over, departing off the bowling of Vineet Panwar after Rizvi took an outstanding catch. That wicket, however, brought captain Sharma to the crease, where he joined forces with Goswami to systematically dismantle Kanpur's bowling attack. Goswami and Sharma negotiated the powerplay carefully before accelerating through the middle overs. Their fluent partnership reached three figures by the 13th over, putting immense pressure on the Superstars. Goswami played the anchor's role to perfection, finishing unbeaten on 76 off 52 balls and earning the Player of the Match award. Sharma matched his partner stroke for stroke, contributing a fiery 67 from 44 deliveries. The two's 135-run stand off 84 balls effectively ended the contest. After Sharma's dismissal, wicketkeeper-batter of Railways Upendra Yadav sealed the victory with a blazing unbeaten 18 off seven balls, guiding Kashi home with plenty to spare. The win gives Kashi Rudras their first points of the campaign and bodes well for the two-time champions. For Kanpur Superstars, despite Rizvi's heroic effort, the defeat leaves them still seeking their first victory of the season. Powered by a blistering knock from opening batsman Swastik Chikara (82 runs off 45 balls, including 9 fours and 4 sixes), Meerut Mavericks notch up a convincing 36-run win over Gorakhpur Lions in the second match of the day. Meerut scored 206/6 in their allotted 20 overs, but in reply, Gorakhpur Lions scored 170/9. Chikara and Rituraj Sharma gave Meerut a brisk start, and the team reached the 50-run mark in 4.2 overs. By the end of the six-over powerplay, Meerut's score stood at 69 for no loss....