Pundalik Naik of Geno SC receives Player of the Match trophy from Narahar Thakur, Vice-President of Panjim Gymkhana.
PANAJI
Geno Sports Club and Salgaocar Cricket Club emerged toppers of respective groups as the League phase of Bandodkar League T20 Cricket Tournament concluded at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Friday.
Geno outplayed MCC by 9 wickets, while Salgaocar CC beat Dempo Cricket Club by 28 runs in Group A and Group B respectively. With these results, the semi-finals to be played on Saturday will pit Geno SC against Group B runners-up Dempo CC (9.30 am) while Salgaocar CC will face Group A runners-up Margao Cricket Club (2pm).
Following the overnight rain, the final Group A match saw a truncated encounter where MCC failed to fire at all, posting a paltry 62/8 in 14 overs. Deepraj Gaonkar was the top-scorer with 34 runs off 30 balls (3×4, 2×6). Nihal Surlakar and Pundalik Naik took 3 and 2 wickets respectively as Geno kept a stranglehold on Chowgule after electing to bowl first. In reply, opener Veer Yadav (30 not out off 18 balls) played his shots resulting in 3 boundaries and 2 sixes in company with Manthan Khutkar (20) to set the tone as Geno romped home with over six overs to spare.
Pundalik Naik was named the Player of the Match with Panjim Gymkhana vice-president Narahar Thakur presenting the trophy to the Geno strike bowler.
In Group B, Salgaocar came back from early loss of wickets to post a challenging 172/8 after being put into bat. Ayush Verlekar (65 off 45 balls) and Yogesh Kauthankar (57 off 40 balls) stitched a partnership of 94 runs for the fourth wicket to thwart Dempo's early pressure. Ayush struck 7 boundaries and 2 sixes while Yogesh hit 3 boundaries and as many sixes to light up what had proved to be a gloomy day till then.
Dempo Cricket Club struggled to forge substantial partnerships to sustain their chase as the top order with the exception of Prathamesh Salunkhe (38 off 17 balls) failed to deliver. The lower-order waged some resistance with Rahul Mehta scoring a fighting half-century (51 off 41 balls) studded with two boundaries and 3 sixes, before Dempo's innings ended at 144 in 19.2 overs. Achit Shigwan and Yogesh Kauthankar took 3 and 2 wickets respectively.
Yogesh Kauthankar was awarded Player of the Match trophy with Panjim Gymkhana managing committee member Prashant Kakode presenting it to the all-rounder.
