PANAJI
Goa for the first time in the competition showed stomach for a fight but still lost by 18 runs to Andhra in their last match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2017-18 South Zone league, in Vishakhapatnam on Sunday.
Experienced Goa batsman Swapnil Asnodkar made a valiant 50 ball-72 and his rollicking 93-run stand for the second wicket with captain Sagun Kamat (43) kept the side's hopes alive for the larger part of the chase of a steep 202-run target. For the victors, one-down bat Ricky Bhui scored a whirlwind 66 at almost two-runs-a-ball to propel his team to a score in excess of 200.
Put in to bat first, Andhra top-order made merry on a batting beauty to pile up 201/4. Their openers, Ashwin Hebbar and captain, G H Vihari raised 78 runs for the first wicket in 8.5 overs until Hebbar was eventually dismissed for a belligerent 52 (37b, 3x4, 4x6). Bhui who joined his captain out in the middle wasted no time in feasting on a toothless attack. Vihari departed on stroke-laden 57 (39b, 4x4, 2x6) after adding 74 runs in a mere 45 balls with Bhui. Bhui's big-hitting abilities made him a hit on the afternoon with 66 from just 34 deliveries with four boundaries and five maximums. For Goa, all the bowlers went on a leather hunt with Lakshay Garg, Felix Alemao, Darshan Misal and Shadab Jakati finding some solace with a wicket apiece.
In reply, Goa started strongly with Amogh Desai looking in good touch with Swapnil Asnodkar shaking off initial blues. The opening partnership ended on 56 under unfortunate circumstances when Desai was involved in a dreaded mix-up with his senior partner. With Desai out for 30 (20b, 4x4,1x6), captain Sagun Kamat joined Asnodkar out in the middle and kept the required run-rate in check.
Asnodkar, who had an early life on 5, grew in confidence as the game progressed unleashing his range of strokeplay while Kamat kept feeding him the strike. As the asking rate began to climb, a well-set Kamat began to free his arms as well. Asnodkar-Kamat took Goa to the 100-run mark midway through the 12th over keeping their side alive for their first win.
With the experienced hands threatening to take the game into the deep end, alarm bells were ringing in the opposition camp. It required brilliance in the field to end the rollicking 93-run partnership off 55 balls for the second wicket. Kamat (43, 27b, 6x4, 1x6) fell at the end of the 16th over while attempting a big hit with Hebbar taking a stellar diving catch near the ropes.
A score of 149/2 quickly became 149/4 with Asnodkar (72, 50b, 7x4, 3x6) and Keenan Vaz (0) losing their wickets within three balls off an impressive Bhargav Bhatt that completely changed the course of the game. Though wicketkeeper Rajasekhar Harikant struck a 2-ball 10 in the end, it was still far from the target with Goa ending on 183/6.
In the run-laden game, Bhargav Bhatt shone with the ball for Andhra with 2/30 in 4 overs that included 11 dot balls, the highest for any bowler in the game. Goa return home winless from five matches.
