Lakshay Garg receives the Man of the match award from Sandeep Khandeparkar.
Photo Credits: The Goan Everyday
PANAJI
Salgaocar Cricket Club made heavy weather of chasing a modest target before registering a scratchy three-wicket victory over Iqbal XI on Sunday in the ongoing Manohar Parrikar Trophy T20 cricket tournament, organised by Yuva de Goa in association with Pilerne CC.
Chasing the target of 114, Salgaocar had a decent start before suffering a middle-order collapse and had to work hard to stay alive in the competition. Goa Ranji Trophy star Lakshay Garg was declared Man of the match for his two wickets and 21-run knock.
Achit Shigwan played responsibly with the lower middle order to remain unbeaten on 34 and guide the team home. Prathamesh Gawas contributed 31 runs while Goa Ranji Trophy batsman Vaibhav Govekar managed 15 runs.
Iqbal XI bowlers worked hard and if they had got better support in the field where the team leaked runs, it could have been the first upset of the tournament.
Earlier electing to bat, Iqbal XI were off to a disastrous start. They lost their top five batsmen within 10.5 overs with the total reading 57 at the fall of the fifth wicket. Iqbal XI’s highest partnership was between Abhu Bhadgaonkar (31 not out) and Pranav Salunke (23 not out). Both the players batted sensibly to put on 56 runs for the sixth wicket. Abhu struck three boundaries in his 34-ball knock while Pranav hit one four and a six in his 26-ball stay at the crease. And in the process provided a semblance of respectability to Iqbal XI total of 113/5. Anand Surve chipped in with 19 runs while Naeem Sadekar made 12 runs.
Salgaocar with their attack led by Goa’s fastest bowler Lakshay kept their rivals under a leash. Lakshay picked up two wickets giving away just five runs and also bowled one maiden over. Badal Singh, Shadab Khan and Shubham Tari, who was, however, the most expensive of the lot giving away 37 runs, took one wicket each.
In the day's other match, SK Jogging scored an easy 10-wicket victory over Betim United at GCA academy ground, Porvorim.
SK Jogging medium-pacer Anush Kerkar was named Man of the Match for his brilliant bowling as he returned impressive figures of 3/8 in his four overs.
Betim United were dismissed for 55 runs in 15.2 overs -- the lowest total in the tournament so far -- as their batsmen were poor in their shot selection after they were put in to bat. The SK Jogging bowlers spearheaded by accomplished Goa Ranji Trophy pacer Harshad Gadekar, were totally dominant.
Along with Anush, who was the pick of the bowlers, leg-spinner Basuraj Madar and captain Dhiraj Narvekar took two wickets each. Harshad Gadekar and Sagar Vantamuri picked up one wicket apiece.
In reply, SK Jogging raced to 56 without loss in 7.5 overs and entered the quarter-finals. Openers Rajat Kudalkar (27) and Vaibhav Naik (25) guided the team with an unbeaten partnership.
