Panaji: Margao Cricket Club registered a stunning 2-run win over Dempo Cricket Club, while Manas Panjim Gymkhana crushed Chowgule Sports Club for a dominant 8-wicket victory on the opening day of Bandodkar T20 League 2024 organised by Panjim Gymkhana at PG ground, Campal, here on Thursday.
Margao Cricket Club captain Felix Alemao was the architect of the success for his team today as he bowled brilliantly to grab five wickets to enable MCC defend their total of 148/7 by restricting Dempo CC to 146/9 in the allotted 20 overs.
Put into bat, MCC fought their way to a fighting total with valuable contributions from Samar Dubhashi (36), Abhinav Tej Rana (30) and a quickfire 28 not out off 11 balls from Vasu Yadla, who provided terrific acceleration in the later stages with 2 sixers and 2 fours; in the face of a good bowling effort by Dempo’s Puneet Mishra (2/19), Mohamad Sharim (2/29) and Vikas Singh (1/21) in particular.
In reply, Dempo CC seemed on track to chase down the target but the loss of wickets of Vikas Singh (31), Soham Panvalkar (30) at crucial junctures hurt their chances. Deep Kasvankar (24) and Azaan Thota (22) also made important runs to keep their side in the hunt. MCC kept pegging back their rivals with captain Felix bowling his heart out to return figures of 5/28. P. Tapaswi picked two wickets and also took a crucial catch of Heramb Parab just inside the boundary rope in the last over, to prevent Dempo from reaching the victory target. Felix was adjudged man of the match. Former Ranji Trophy cricketer and Panjim Gymkhana Managing Committee member Girish Parekh presented the award.
The second match of the day saw Manas Panjim Gymkhana thrash Chowgule SC, who were shot out for a dismal 74 runs in 15.3 overs on electing to bat first. Aayush Vartak was the only batter to get into double digits with his 29 runs comprising three boundaries and a sixer. That apart, the Chowgule innings lacked a basic positive approach while Manas Panjim Gymkhana bowlers dictated the terms. Amit Yadav was the pick of the bowlers as he took 3/10. Rohan Raje and left-arm spinner Heramb Parab picked up 2 wickets each. In reply, Manas Panjim Gymkhana chased down the target in 10.5 overs with opener Ishaan Gadekar scoring a strokeful 45 runs which included four sixes. Shivendra Bhujbal was unbeaten on 26.
Ishaan was named man of the match. Former Ranji Trophy captain and Panjim Gymkhana Managing committee member Suresh Mahadevan presented the award.
