PORVORIM: Chowgule Sports Club and Geno Sports Club registered impressive victories in the semifinals of the Goa Premier Division League T-20 tournament organised by the Goa Cricket Association and advanced to the final. In the matches played at the GCA ground in Sanguem-Cotarlim, Chowgule defeated Margao Cricket Club by seven wickets, while Geno edged past Salgaocar Cricket Club by seven runs in a thrilling encounter.
In the first semifinal, Margao Cricket Club batted first and posted 176 for 5 in 20 overs. Umang Gosavi scored 63, Deepraj Gaonkar made 50, while Heramb Parab remained unbeaten on 30. For Chowgule, Kaustubh Pingulkar, and Shubham Tari picked up two wickets each.
In reply, Chowgule Sports Club chased down the target in 17.3 overs, losing three wickets. Sanath Nevagi smashed a blistering 90 off just 34 balls with 10 fours and 7 sixes to lay the foundation for victory. Gauresh Kambli remained unbeaten on 54, while Shivendra Bhujbal contributed an unbeaten 27.
In the second semifinal, Geno Sports Club scored 182 for 5 in 20 overs after opting to bat first. Rajat Shet remained unbeaten on 72. Veer Yadav scored 52, while captain Manthan Khutkar added 26 runs. For Salgaocar, Amulya Pandrekar bowled economically and claimed one wicket for 13 runs. Chasing 183 for victory, Salgaocar Cricket Club could manage only 175 for 5 in 20 overs. Yash Kasvankar remained unbeaten on 56, while Ayush Verlekar fought hard with a knock of 66. Salgaocar needed 33 runs from the last three overs but failed to cross the finishing line. Samarth Rane and Mehank Dharwadkar bowled tightly under pressure in the death overs. For Geno, Samarth Rane claimed two wickets, while Nihal Surlkar and Pundalik Naik picked up one wicket each.
The final of the tournament will be played under lights on May 10.
Brief Scores:
Margao Cricket Club: 176/5 in 20 overs
(Umang Gosavi 63, Deepraj Gaonkar 50, Heramb Parab unbeaten 30, Extras 10; Kaustubh Pingulkar 2/36, Shubham Tari 2/47) lost to
Chowgule Sports Club: 181/3 in 17.3 overs (Sanath Nevagi 90, Gauresh Kambli 54 not out; Anuj Yadav 1/38, Heramb Shankar Parab 1/26, Rudresh Sharma 1/34).
Geno Sports Club: 182/5 in 20 overs
(Rajat Shet unbeaten 72, Veer Yadav 52, Manthan Khutkar 26, Kaushal Hattangadi 20, Extras 4; Ruthvik Naik 1/45, Yash Kasvankar 1/29, Amulya Pandrekar 1/13, Gauresh Nagvekar 1/33, Tunish Sawkar 1/22)
beat
Salgaocar Cricket Club: 175/5 in 20 overs (Ayush Verlekar 66, Yash Kasvankar unbeaten 56, Piyush Yadav 17, Extras 7; Samarth Rane 2/26, Nihal Surlkar 1/22, Pundalik Naik 1/16).
