Panaji: Naroo Panthers beat Retro Strikers by 28 runs in the opening match of the inaugural Zooter Goa Super League cricket tournament at Panjim Gymkhana ground on Saturday afternoon.
Put into bat, Naroo Panthers posted a challenging total of 174/6 with the help of handsome contributions with the bat led by Vishwajeet Gaonkar (38), Ilyas Naroo (36), Siddesh Arora (33) but the most telling knock came from the man of the match Siddhesh Alvenkar down the order.
Batting at No 6, Siddhesh struck two sixers and three boundaries in his 18-ball 33 before he was out stumped off the bowling of Avadoot Amonkar (3/27) in the last over of the innings thus bringing the momentum into the Panthers camp.
In reply, Retro Strikers lost wickets in a heap and were reduced to 68/5 in 9.1 overs before Avadoot Amonkar unleashed a flurry of big hits in his 35-run knock of 21 balls, which included three sixes and two boundaries.
With the rule of retiring after a batter reaches the 35-run being implemented, the former Ranji Trophy star had to leave the centre-stage just as the Strikers were coming back into the game at 112/5 in 13.4 overs. However, all-rounder Siddhesh Alvenkar then got two quick wickets and snuffed out the remaining fight in the Strikers camp as they were restricted to 146/9 with Siddharth Ghanekar remaining not out on a valiant 24 off 11 balls (2×4, 2×6). Mrunmay Das was the pick of the Panthers bowlers with figures of 3/21 of 3 overs.