PANAJI
Priority Titans became the first team to book their place in the play-offs stage of the PGML 4.0 after they scored a thrilling 4-run victory over Baale Tigers at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Sunday. Prescon Panthers remained in the hunt for the last-four stage with a crucial 13-run win against Dempo Challengers.
Priority Titans occupy the top place in the Standings with 8 points from 4 matches. Prescon Panthers are second with 4 points from 4 games. Dempo Challengers, who suffered their second loss of the season in third league match, have 2 points in their tally and are placed 6th in the 7-team PGML.
Baale Tigers, who are the only team yet to open their account, came close to a fighting victory in the first match of the day when chasing a challenging target of 156, two of Goa's former Ranji Trophy all-rounders Robin DSouza (28 not out) and Harshad Gadekar (28 not out) exhibited power-hitting in the closing stages. However, Priority Titans skipper Mukhtar Kadri bowling the final over with Baale Tigers requiring 18 runs to win, managed to restrict Robin on strike to taking 13 runs from the over. Earlier, Priority Titans put on another strong batting display with Vedant Naik (39 off 19 balls) being their top-scorer. All-rounder Ojas (35 runs and 1 wicket) was named Grant Thornton Man-of-the Match. Vedant, meanwhile, is now the Orange Cap holder as he leads the batting list with 131 runs from 4 innings.
In the second match, Prescon Panthers all-rounder and Man-of-the-Match Aditya Angle (36 & 3 wickets) delivered a fabulous performance with the bat, ball and in the field to enable his team clinch their second win in their fourth match. Having posted a moderate total of 134/5, Prescon bowlers kept the remarkably deep batting line-up of Dempo Challengers in control before restricting them to 121/9. It was a scratchy outing with the bat once again for Dempo Challengers with none of the batters showing a substantial positive attitude.
Edwin Menezes and Gaurish Dharwadkar were the chief guests for the presentation ceremonies of the day's respective matches.
