MARGAO
Panjim Powerplay beat MLT PDK Kings by 4 wickets on a last ball thriller in the Desserts n More Sarsangan Super Series Cricket at Arlem Cricket ground.
Electing to bat, MLT PDK Kings lost Bhushan Kamat Bambolkar (15) early but were steadied by a 58 run partnership in 41 balls for the 2nd wicket between Viraj Puranik 36 (26)and Sarin Kane 23 (30). The introduction of Amith Kamat proved to be a masterstroke as he picked 3 quick wickets including that of the immensely talented Mehank Dharwadkar as the Kings slipped to 98-4 in 13 overs.
The young south paw Ved Mahambrey 44 (27) played a key innings and along with Pratham Kossambe (19) helped the MLT PDK Kings to put up a respectable 172-7 in 20 overs. Amith Kamat was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-21 while Rasik Pai Khot 2-30, Granthik Buyao 1-11 and Kaushal Hattangadi 1-25 provided good support.
In reply, needing a win to stay in contention for a place in the knockouts, Panjim Powerplay were provided a rollicking start by Anant Prabhu Chodnekar 22 (19) and Kaushal Hattangadi 50 (37) as they put on 46 runs in 39 balls. However, the left arm spinner Animesh Prabhugaonkar picked 2 wickets in 2 balls, that of Anant and Gururaj Bale, to get the Kings back into the match.
The young Granthik Buyao, starting on a sedate note soon changed gears as he smashed the bowlers to all round the ground making 50 (31) and in the company of Goa Ranji wk Samar Dubhashi 34(20) took the Panjim Powerplay team to the cusp of victory.
Needing 4 off the last 5 balls, Panjim Powerplay lost Samar Dubhashi and Laxmikant Kurade in a space of 3 balls to be 170-6, which left them to make 3 runs in 2 balls. Amith Kamat scored the required runs off the last ball to register a thrilling win as Panjim Powerplay made 173-6 to stay in contention for a place in the knockouts. Animesh Prabhugaonkar was the pick of the bowlers with 2-21 and was supported by Ved Mahambrey who took 1-26.
Granthik Buyao was awarded the Desserts n More Man of the Match medal and the Estilo Moderno Realty Man of the Match trophy along with a cash prize of Rs.2000 for his brilliant all round show for the Panjim Powerplay.
