the goan I network
PANAJI
Mayem Union and Krishna Constructions Sunday Champs won their respective matches at the Geno Prudent T20 Cup on Tuesday. Mayem Union beat Amar Brothers Maratha Warriors by five wickets in a nail-biting finish, while Sunday Champs scored a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Verem United, to move into the next round of the knock-out tournament in progress at GCA Academy ground, Porvorim.
Man-of-the match Yogesh Naik's unbeaten half-century and his 109-run partnership with Sunny Kanekar (62) proved match-winning effort for Mayem Union in the first match. Electing to bat, the Warriors got off to a worst possible start as Rajan Dhamsekar, Santosh Sawant and Rajesh Narulkar were dismissed in the first over with Mayem's Surya Divkar registering the first hat-trick of the tournament in the first over of the day.
Captain and experienced cricketer Ankush Khutkar (29 off 39 balls) and youngster Tejas Desai then batted with responsibility to rebuild the Warriors innings. Tejas showed his immense talent as he scored 54 runs off 46 balls, hitting seven boundaries in his classy knock. The duo put on 73 runs for the fourth wicket, forming the spine of the Warriors' batting. Vithal Gawas and Pravin Bugde scored 18 runs each as the Warriors posted a competitive total of 142/7 in the allotted 20 overs.
In their reply, Mayem Union got off to a shaky start losing their first wicket for two runs and second at the total of 13 runs. Opener Sunny Kanekar then got a steady partner in Yogesh Naik, and both went about their task in a smooth fashion. Sunny's strokeful 62 came off 50 deliveries, with the help of nine boundaries. He was dismissed off a beautifully disguised slower-one by Tejas Desai, who showed his all-round ability in this match, with Mayem Union still needing 21 runs to win. After losing Sunny following the crucial century partnership for the third wicket, Yogesh took it upon himself to guide the team to victory as Mayem Union lost two more quick wickets at the score of 129, giving Maratha Warriors a glimmer of hope.
With 14 required off eight deliveries, Yogesh came up with a timely sixer, keeping Mayem's hopes alive. No 7 batsman, Vishal Parab then hit two boundaries to take Mayem Union to a five-wicket victory in 19.5 overs. Yogesh remained not out with 57 runs off 54 balls, hitting five boundaries and one sixer. He was presented the man-of-the match award by Atish Angle of Angley's Sports. Maratha Warriors' Manjunath Vantamuri took four wickets for 34 runs, while Tejas picked up 1/17.
The second match of the day saw Krishna Constructions Sunday Champs score a comfortable victory over Verem United, chasing the target of 128 runs, losing only three wickets and with 2.3 overs
to spare.
Electing to bat, Verem United posted a total of 127/9 with Vaibhav Kadkade being their top-scorer with 32 runs off 29 balls. The opener hit four boundaries and one sixer before he was caught by Ninad Pawaskar off the bowling of Amogh Desai. Abdul Salam with 19 and Gaurav Naik with 18, were the only other notable run-getters for Verem United, in the face of top quality bowling of Sunday Champs.
Harshad Gadekar was the most economical bowler, picking up two wickets for 15 off his four overs. Ninad also picked up two wickets, while captain Saheel Dhuri, Harshanand Gaonkar and Amogh picked up one
wicket each.
Sunday Champs raced to victory without much difficulty, thanks to an unbeaten half-century by Rahul Keni. Saheel scored 36 runs off 19 balls with three sixers and two boundaries, while Rohit Asnodkar was not out on 24 runs. Harshad Gadekar was named man-of-the match.
