MASHEM
Al Fatah staged a remarkable fightback riding on a crucial unbeaten half century by Ayush Verlekar, to register a 4-wicket win against Margao Cricket Club in the first semi-final of 43rd Nanda Lolayekar Trophy leather ball cricket tournament sponsored by Commonwealth Developers and organised by Mashem Cricket Club at Nirakar Maidan , Mashem Canacona, on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 134, Al Fatah were in huge trouble at 36/6 in 8 overs. No. 6 batter Ayush Verlekar (69 not out) then took the matters in his own hands with Khutbudin (29 not out) holding one end up.
Man of the Match, Ayush struck 11 boundaries in his unbeaten knock off 62 balls, while his partner was content in one’s and twos; and the partnership blossomed into a glorious unfinished 100-run match-winning stand in 27 overs. Opener Gaurish Kambli contributed 21 runs.
MCC’s Keith Pinto picked 2/34, while Yash Kasvankar claimed 2/18.
Earlier, MCC won the toss and batted first. However, their intentions of putting a challenging total on board did not materialise. A couple of top-order batters got decent starts including Rishikesh Ugale (37 off 35 balls) and Sanath Nevagi (21) but MCC were all out for 133 in 30.1 overs.
Al Fatah bowlers dictated the terms with Shadab Khan (3/35) and Malik Shiroor (3/22) being the most successful of the lot. Yeshwant Raikar picked 2/34.
