PANAJI
Margao Mega Strikers (MMS) edged past Antruz Rising Stars (ARS) by just 2 runs to clinch the DnM Sarsangan Men’s T20 cricket championship.
Electing to bat first, MMS were off to a flying start, racing to 75 in just 7 overs, thanks to the two openers, Durgesh Prabhugaonkar (43, 23 balls, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Yash Prabhugaonkar (34, 19 balls, 4x4s, 1x6s), tearing into the ARS pace attack. However, the introduction of spin immediately brought dividends to Antruz with Rudresh Kamat (3-31), Anish Khandeparkar (1-22) and Nehal Sangaonkar (2-17) arresting the run rate and bringing parity into the contest.
The spin trio not only slowed down the MMS batting line-up but chipped in with the wickets at regular intervals, removing captain Amod Borkar (14), Aditya Prabhugaonkar (10), Siddhesh Prabhu Alvenkar (1), Atchut Naik Dalal (0), Akhil Nadkarni (3) and Shivam Varik (0) in a matter of 6 overs.
With the score reading 127-6 (16.4 overs), the ever-reliable Aditya Angle (38, 24 balls, 5x4s) added valuable runs in the company of Samprabh Phaldessai (10, 7 balls, 1x4s) to take MMS to a respectable 165/9 in 20 overs, aided by some sloppy fielding with the ARS fielders dropping some easy chances.
Chasing 166 to win, ARS lost their in-form opener Gaurish Shenvi Lotliker for nought on the very first delivery. However, the ARS innings was steadied by diminutive southpaw wicketkeeper Pratham Kossambe (35, 35 balls, 3x4s) and Saeesh Prabhudessai (25, 19 balls, 2x4s, 1x6s) with a 49-run partnership.
With 117 runs needed in 13 overs, the cool-headed ARS captain Prasheel Kamat rose to the occasion with a classy (35, 35 balls, 3x4s) and in the company of Aghan Sambari (25, 16 balls, 2x4s, 1x6s) and Eashan Kamat (19, 11 balls, 2x4s) got the ARS within striking distance of the MMS total. Needing 4 in 2 balls, Aghan Sambari was cleaned up by Yash Prabhugaonkar going for a big hit and Vivek Keny could only score 1 off the last delivery to give MMS a win by just 2 runs.
