Panaji: Manas Panjim Gymkhana scored their second consecutive victory and topped the group while Desserts N’More Geno Sports Club opened their campaign with a win against Dempo Cricket Club in the ongoing Bandodkar T20 League organised by Panjim Gymkhana at PG ground here on Friday.
Manas Panjim Gymkhana registered another impressive show as they chased down defending champions Salgaocar Cricket Club’s total of 141/9 in an emphatic manner, reaching 145/4 in 18.1 overs with captain Snehal Kauthankar (59 not out; 4×6, 6×2) being the top-scorer. Ishaan Gadekar contributed 41 runs, while Sohraab Dhaliwal chipped in with 23.
Left-arm pacer Amit Yadav’s five-wicket haul was instrumental in changing the course of Salgaocar CC inning as the defending champs collapsed after the opening partnership of 89 runs between Prathamesh Gawas (53 off 35balls; 4×4, 6×3) and Aditya Suryawanshi (34). Wrecker-in-chief Amit (5/16) was named man of the match. Panjim Gymkhana managing committee member Sarfraz Sheikh presented the award.
Earlier in Group A, Desserts N’More Geno Sports Club consigned Dempo CC to their second loss in the group stage as they reached 164/6 in 18.1 overs after Dempo, who were put into bat, posted a total of 163/8.
Puneet Mishra (59 off 37 balls; 4×9, 6×1) and Soham Panvalkar (46 not out) were the chief run-getters for Dempo, who were stifled for most part of their innings before Soham tore into Geno captain Darshan Misal in the last over, which yielded 23 runs.
Mehank Dharwadkar was the pick of the bowlers for Geno, picking 3 wickets. Mohit Redkar took 2 wickets while Misal picked one wicket.
Geno opener Anand Tendulkar guided the Mapusa-based Club into the semi-finals with a responsible unbeaten knock of 56 runs (44balls; 4×6, 6×1). He played according to the situation and was involved in two crucial partnerships, first with Pukhraj Mann (50 off 23 balls; 4×6, 6×3) where the second-wicket stand was worth 64 runs; while the fifth-wicket partnership with Vasu Tiwari (25) yielded 43 runs. Dempo’s Vikas Singh and Rohan Bogati took two wickets each.
Tendulkar was named man of the match. Panjim Gymkhana Managing committee member Narahar Thakur presented the award.
Desserts N’More Geno Sports Club will clash with Margao Cricket Club to decide the group A toppers, while Salgaocar CC will take on Chowgule SC in a virtual quarter-final in Group B on Saturday.
