MARGAO
MLT PDK Kings defeat Delite Titans by 16 runs to top the League and enter Qualifier “ I match of the Desserts n More Sarsangan Super Series Cricket at Arlem Cricket ground.
Electing to bat first on a pitch conducive to stroke play, MLT PDK Kings openers Viraj Puranik (34) and Siddesh Sinai Amonkar (22) put on 46 runs in only 29 balls to give their team a flying start, with none of the Titans bowlers able to stop the run flow.
To add to the Titans woes, Sarin Pai Kane (43) and Ved Prabhu Mahambrey (54) added 76 runs for the 3rd wicket in only 37 balls to seize the momentum as the Kings reached 142-3 in 13.3 overs. However, Nikhil Virginkar and Pranav Kamat bowled their hearts out to restrict the run flow as the Kings could only add 47 more in the last 39 balls to finish at 189-8 in 20 overs. Nikhil Virginkar 3-31, Pranav Kamat 2-30, Shridhar Keni 1-21 and Vishnu Namshikar 1-32 were the successful bowlers for the Titans.
In reply, Titans were off to a disastrous start losing 3 wickets in the first 3 overs with the score reading 10-3 and were further set back at 28-4 in 5 overs by the loss of Gaurish Bhende (15) with the left arm spinner Animesh Prabhugaonkar picking all the 4 wickets.
An 82 run partnership in 51 balls between Nikhil Virginkar (35) and south paw Prabhakar Shetye (45) got the Titans back into the match. Prabhakar was the more aggressive batter, hitting Pratham Kossambe for 3 consecutive 6s in 3 balls during his innings which was cut short going for yet another maximum.
Though the Titans lost 3 quick wickets to be reduced to 123-7 in 15.3 overs, requiring 67 runs in 27 balls to reach the Qualifier - I, the veterans Avinash Kossambe (20) and Samruddh Hegde Desai (20) gave the Kings some tense moments with some lusty hits. They put on 45 runs in 18 balls taking the Delite Titans to 168 in 18.3 overs with 22 runs to get from 9 balls for an improbable win.
The Kings kept their nerve at the final moments picking 3 wickets as the Delite Titans folded up for 173 in 19.5 overs, falling short by 16 runs. Animesh Prabhugaonkar 4-29, Saish Hegde 3-17, Viraj Puranik 1-23, Vibhav Pai 1-27 and Ved Mahambrey 1-31 were the wicket takers for the Kings.
Ved Prabhu Mahambrey was awarded the Man of the Match medal.
