PORVORIM: In the Goa Premier Division League T-20 tournament organised by the Goa Cricket Association, Salgaocar Cricket Club and Geno Sports Club registered victories on Thursday. In the matches played at Sanguem-Cotarli, Salgaocar defeated Dempo Cricket Club by eight wickets, while Geno Sports Club edged past Chowgule Sports Club by one wicket in a thrilling encounter.
In the afternoon session match, Dempo Cricket Club posted 170 for 7 in 20 overs after opting to bat first. Aditya scored 41, Aman Dhooper made 45, Rahul Mehta contributed 26, while Mohit Yadav remained unbeaten on 18. For Salgaocar, Fardeen Khan, and Ruthvik Naik claimed three wickets each.
In reply, Salgaocar Cricket Club chased down the target with ease, scoring 174 for 2 in 18.4 overs to seal an eight-wicket victory. Azaan Thota played a blistering knock of 53 off 31 balls, while Piyush Yadav smashed 60 runs to lay the foundation for the win. Captain Yash Kasvankar remained unbeaten on 31, and Tunish Sawkar stayed not out on 23. Rahul Mehta picked up two wickets for Dempo.
In the second match, Chowgule Sports Club scored 170 for 6 in 20 overs. Shivendra Bhujbal played a superb innings of 76 off 36 balls to help his side post a competitive total. Darshan Misal scored 41, while Sanath Nevagi added 28. For Geno, Vikas Singh, and Manish Kakode picked up two wickets apiece.
Chasing 171, Geno Sports Club held their nerves in a match that went down to the final over, scoring 171 for 9 in 20 overs to register a thrilling one-wicket win. Veer Yadav scored 37, Manish Kakode made 40, while Kaushal Hattangadi contributed 20 runs. In the closing stages, Shiven Borkar and Samarth Rane batted sensibly to guide the team home. For Chowgule, Darshan Misal, Felix Alemao, and Shubham Tari claimed two wickets each.
On Friday, May 8, the first semifinal will be played between Margao Cricket Club and Chowgule Sports Club in the afternoon session. The second semifinal between Salgaocar Cricket Club and Geno Sports Club will take place in the evening session.
Brief Scores:
Dempo Cricket Club: 170/7 in 20 overs (Aman Dhooper 45, Aditya 41, Rahul Mehta 26, Mohit Yadav unbeaten 18, Extras 2; Ruthvik Naik 3/46, Fardeen Khan 3/35, Gauresh Nagvekar 1/38) lost to Salgaocar Cricket Club: 174/2 in 18.4 overs (Piyush Yadav 60, Azaan Thota 53, Yash Kasvankar unbeaten 31, Tunish Sawkar unbeaten 23, Extras 7; Rahul Mehta 2/30).
Chowgule Sports Club: 170/6 in 20 overs (Shivendra Bhujbal unbeaten 76, Darshan Misal 41, Sanath Nevagi 28, Extras 7; Manish Kakode 2/20, Vikas Singh 2/30, Pundalik Naik 1/30) lost to Geno Sports Club: 171/9 in 20 overs (Manish Kakode 40, Veer Yadav 37, Kaushal Hattangadi 20, Extras 12; Darshan Misal 2/36, Felix Alemao 2/24, Shubham Tari 2/49, Shubham Desai 1/26, Kaustubh Pingulkar 1/23).