Panaji: Young Star of Moula scored a thrilling 2-run victory over Panvel SC in a run-fest of a GCA B Division Tiswadi zone encounter at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Friday.
Opting to bat first, Young Star of Moula posted a mammoth 334/6 in 39 overs, to which Panvel Sports Club replied with a splendid effort in the form of 332/7 in 39 overs.
An incredible partnership of 212 runs for the third wicket between Suraj Gond (131 off 76 balls) and Akshay (101 off 69 balls), set up Young Star of Moula’s huge total.
Most of the Panvel Sports Club bowlers proved expensive except Mizaan Sayyed, who had figures of 2/32 off his seven overs. Sanjay Parab, captain Prajyot Rivonker, Tushar N. and all-rounder Aadarsh Bothara took one wicket each.
In reply, Aadarsh Bothara came out to bat all guns blazing and smashed the rival bowlers for 20 boundaries and seven sixes in his stunning knock of 157 runs off 85 balls, coming in to open the Panvel Sports Club run-chase.
The third-wicket partnership between Aadarsh and Jaipal Mada (77 runs off 65 balls) was worth 144 runs, which kept Panvel in the hunt. With 22 required off 18 balls, the tussle was heading right down to the wire but Young Star of Moula bowlers Abhishek Singh (0/69) and Rajesh Tukadia (1/32) held their nerve to bowl the last three overs, not allowing Sanjay Parab (11 not out of 11 balls) and Siddharth Ghanekar (1 not out of 2 balls) to hit a boundary.
Young Star of Moula captain Sanjay Naik (3/51) and Sarthak Walke (2/42) were amongst the wickets.