PANAJI: Priority Titans registered a stunning 4-wicket victory over RC Goa to lift the PGML 4.0 trophy in an exhibition of entertaining brand of T20 cricket in a carnival atmosphere at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Sunday.
Priority Titans, who chased a mammoth target of 188 with 4 balls to spare, were awarded a cash prize of Rs 3 Lakh. While there wasn’t much difference in the quality of the teams on display with fine margins deciding the outcome in a fiercely contested title clash, RC Goa emerged second-best on the day having posted a big total of 187/6 after winning the toss and pursed Rs 2 Lakh in prize-money.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, India cricketer Jaydev Unadkat, Panjim Gymkhana president Manoj Caculo, secretary Rajesh Khaunte and ex-president of Goa Cricket Association Chetan Desai graced the prize distribution ceremony.
The final with all the pressure that comes with it, seemed to have brought the best out of the teams with the track also proving to be a batting paradise.
Priority Titans captain and ‘Grant Thornton’ Man-of-the Match Mukhtar Kadri (35 runs & 1/20 off 4 overs) was once again the stellar performer as he provided the thrust with his positive intent in the middle order with the bat and bowling flat out to stifle the opponents a bit, earlier in the match. Ojas (38) and Sachin Sardesai (35) provided the perfect start to the run-chase with a strokeful stand of 65 runs in 6.3 overs. Kiran Shirwaikar (36 off 19 balls) also played a crucial role as the 52-run partnership for the 5th wicket with Kadri, consolidated the Titans’ charge to glory.
RC Goa were outplayed in defence of their total as they tried everything to which the Titans responded befittingly. Earlier during their first strike, the Men in Orange looked in supreme touch as Samar Dubhashi (40), captain Dhilan Shah (39), Nityay Kunkolienkar (36) showed their class to power RC Goa to their highest total of the season, in what proved to be the most evenly-contested final since the inception of Panjim Gymkhana Members League.
This is also the first PGML title for Priority Titans, who had lost in PGML 2.0 final to Dempo Challengers. Prescon Panthers and Manas Mavericks are the other two winners of this competition in the inaugural and third season respectively.
Following individual prizes were awarded:
Man of the Final: Mukhtar Kadri (Priority Titans)
Best Bowler: Ramnath Gaonkar (RC Goa)
Best Batsman: Vedant Naik (Priority Titans)
Man of the Tournament: Ramnath Gaonkar (RC Goa)
Best Fielder: Manish Kakode (Prescon Panthers).
Brief Scores: RC Goa 187/6 (Samar Dubhashi 40, Dhilan Shah 39, Nityay Kunkolienkar 36; Mukhtar Kadri 1/20), Priority Titans 188/6 in 19.2 overs (Ojas 38, Kiran Shirwaikar 36, Mukhtar Kadri 35, Sachin Sardesai 35; Dattesh Priolkar 1/22). Priority Titans won by 4 wickets.
Meanwhile during the innings break, the talented young players of Panjim Gymkhana Cricket Academy, were felicitated for securing place in the Goa state team. Not limiting the infrastructure to Cricket, Panjim Gymkhana has been transforming into multiple sports hub year on year. Keeping pace with the time, ‘Manas Sports Arena’ was inaugurated on the occasion. The new facility is dedicated to the world’s fastest growing sport of Pickleball. Moreover a new restaurant is almost ready to be launched at Panjim Gymkhana. The hosts opened the doors of ‘Janot’ by chef Avinash Martins for a sneak peek.
