Panaji: Nageshi Youth reigned supreme at Betim United Trophy 2023 T20 cricket tournament as they prevailed over Taleigao Tigers by four wickets in the final here on Tuesday.
A half-century by Saif Ali (50 runs off 29 balls; 4×4, 4×6) was the highlight of the Taleigao Tigers batting unit, which posted a total of 158/9. Captain Muktiar Kadri contributed 21 runs off 22 balls but the much-needed acceleration was brought in by Kiran Shirvoikar scoring a nine-ball 19 and Gauresh Khandeparkar, who whacked a 6-ball 18 to push the Tigers total past the psychological 150-run mark.
Nageshi Youth’s Babulal Pathan (3/34), captain Sachin Kurpaskar (2/16), Stanley Fernandes (1/19), Uddesh Ramnathkar (1/35), Shubham Desai (1/25) and Mukund Bandodkar (1/6) were amongst the wickets.
In reply, Nageshi Youth were apparently put on the road to victory by the second-wicket partnership of 99 runs between opener Kedar Naik (51 runs off 36 balls; 5×4, 3×6) and No 3 Vishwajeet Phadte Gaonkar (40 off 35 balls; 4×4, 1×6). However, Nageshi’s progress towards the target, was not smooth as they lost four wickets for the addition of just 27 runs. With the score reading 127/6 in 16.3 overs, the game was in the balance but Shubham Gaude played brilliantly coming in at No 8 where he blasted three sixes and a boundary in his 11-ball unbeaten 27 runs knock and took Nageshi Youth home. Mukund Bandodkar remained not out on 13 runs. The duo put on an unfinished stand of 35 runs off 14 balls as Nageshi scored 162/6 with 1.1 overs to spare.
Manish Kakode (2/24), Kadri (1/25), Basappa Madar (1/27) and Tek Bahadur (1/28) were the wicket-takers for the Taleigao Tigers.
Kedar Naik was named the man of the final. Manish Kakode was adjudged man of the tournament. Babulal Pathan was awarded best bowler prize while Vishwajeet Phadte Gaonkar was presented best batsman award.
In the semis, Nageshi Youth had defeated Pilerne CC while Taleigao Tigers ousted Ashvi SC Khandola.
