PANAJI: Dempo Challengers and Prescon Panthers scored crucial victory in their respective matches in the ongoing PGML 4.0 at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Sunday.
After Prescon Panthers scored a comfortable 7-wicket win against table-toppers Priority Titans in the first match of the day and remained on track for the knockout phase, Dempo Challengers registered a hard-fought 21-runs victory over Desserts N’More Avengers to stay alive in the race for the Playoffs.
Priority Titans, who were the first team to book the Playoff spots with 4 wins in first four games, suffered their first loss today as they failed to fire as a unit after electing to bat first. Although their top three – Sachin Sardesai (27), Samir Chodankar (21) and Vedant Naik (20) got the starts, the Titans could only post a modest total of 112/8.
Prescon Panthers captain Prajyot Rivonker was the top performer with the bat as well as the ball (36 runs & 2/13) and was named ‘Grant Thornton’ Man-of-the Match. Suraj Hirani (26 not out) and Iftikhar Agha (24 not out) ensured the Panthers cruised home losing just 3 wickets and with almost 3 overs to spare.
The second match of the day proved to be a blockbuster as it was of huge importance to both Dempo Challengers and Desserts N’More Avengers.
Dempo Challengers captain Tunish Sawkar’s knock of 40 runs off 24 balls, which included 3 boundaries and 2 sixes, proved the difference between the two sides loaded with depth in batting.
Tunish, who was lucky to be dropped on 4, also picked a wicket and was adjudged ‘Grant Thornton’ Man-of-the Match.
Dempo’s Om Fadte (34) and Niraj Lotlekar (33) played important innings and were involved in two valuable partnerships with Tunish and Prashant Pangam (18) respectively, driving Denpo to a challenging total of 168/7.
In reply, Desserts N’More Avengers got off to a flying start with Sairaj Dhond (28) and Saandip Dahaad (24) looking good. However, Dempo Challengers were able to claw their way back with a determined effort in the field sending back dangerous Saif Ali Karajgi and Rajshekhar Harikant cheaply, to win only their second match in four outings.
Brief Scores:
Priority Titans 112/8 (Sachin Sardesai 27, Samir Chodankar 21, Vedant Naik 20; Prajyot Rivonker 2/13); Prescon Panthers 113/3 in 17.1 overs (Prajyot Rivonker 36, Suraj Hirani 26 not out, Iftikhar Agha 24 not out; Amlon Dsouza 1/10), Prescon Panthers win by 7 wickets.
Dempo Challengers 168/7 (Tunish Sawkar 40, Om Fadte 34, Niraj Lotlekar 33; Vikas Shetty 2/05); Desserts N’More Avengers 147 in 19.5 overs (Sairaj Dhond 28, Saandip Dahaad 24, Pranav Biche 23; Balkrishna Hodarkar 2/29), Dempo Challengers win by 21 runs.
