Dempo Challengers beat Avengers in must-win game

Prajyot Rivonker of Prescon Panthers receives the Man-of-the Match award from Kedar Dhume and Gaurish Dhond.

PANAJI

Dempo Challengers and Prescon Panthers scored crucial victory in their respective matches in the ongoing PGML 4.0 at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Sunday.

After Prescon Panthers scored a comfortable 7-wicket win against table-toppers Priority Titans in the first match of the day and remained on track for the knockout phase, Dempo Challengers registered a hard-fought 21-runs victory over Desserts N’More Avengers to stay alive in the race for the Playoffs.

Priority Titans, who were the first team to book the Playoff spots with 4 wins in first four games, suffered their first loss today as they failed to fire as a unit after electing to bat first. Although their top three - Sachin Sardesai (27), Samir Chodankar (21) and Vedant Naik (20) got the starts, the Titans could only post a modest total of 112/8.

Prescon Panthers captain Prajyot Rivonker was the top performer with the bat as well as the ball (36 runs & 2/13) and was named 'Grant Thornton' Man-of-the Match. Suraj Hirani (26 not out) and Iftikhar Agha (24 not out) ensured the Panthers cruised home losing just 3 wickets and with almost 3 overs to spare.

The second match of the day proved to be a blockbuster as it was of huge importance to both Dempo Challengers and Desserts N’More Avengers.

Dempo Challengers captain Tunish Sawkar's knock of 40 runs off 24 balls, which included 3 boundaries and 2 sixes, proved the difference between the two sides loaded with depth in batting.

Tunish, who was lucky to be dropped on 4, also picked a wicket and was adjudged 'Grant Thornton' Man-of-the Match.

Dempo's Om Fadte (34) and Niraj Lotlekar (33) played important innings and were involved in two valuable partnerships with Tunish and Prashant Pangam (18) respectively, driving Denpo to a challenging total of 168/7.

In reply, Desserts N’More Avengers got off to a flying start with Sairaj Dhond (28) and Saandip Dahaad (24) looking good. However, Dempo Challengers were able to claw their way back with a determined effort in the field sending back dangerous Saif Ali Karajgi and Rajshekhar Harikant cheaply, to win only their second match in four outings.

BRIEF SCORES

Priority Titans 112/8 (Sachin Sardesai 27, Samir Chodankar 21, Vedant Naik 20; Prajyot Rivonker 2/13); Prescon Panthers 113/3 in 17.1 overs (Prajyot Rivonker 36, Suraj Hirani 26 not out, Iftikhar Agha 24 not out; Amlon Dsouza 1/10), Prescon Panthers win by 7 wickets.

Dempo Challengers 168/7 (Tunish Sawkar 40, Om Fadte 34, Niraj Lotlekar 33; Vikas Shetty 2/05); Desserts N'More Avengers 147 in 19.5 overs (Sairaj Dhond 28, Saandip Dahaad 24, Pranav Biche 23; Balkrishna Hodarkar 2/29), Dempo Challengers win by 21 runs.