Margao: Pai Khot Fighters beat Mapusa Dream Crushers by 4 runs in a last-ball thriller of a final to clinch the Desserts N’More Sarsangan +45 Veterans Cricket Championship, at Arlem Cricket Ground.
Put into bat, Pai Khot Fighters put up 148/9 in 20 overs. Their skipper Rasik Pai Khot 32 (31 balls, 2 x 4s) offered maximum resistance against the fiery bowling of Mapusa Dream Crushers bowlers – Shailesh Mahajan 3-30, Mahesh Kudchadkar 2-16 and Mahesh Churi 2-26.
The other handy contributions came via Anish Dharwadkar (23), Shiraj Pai Khot (19) and Amit Kamat (15). Four of their batters were dismissed in very close, crease decisions decided by the 3rd Umpire’s Decision Review System.
Mapusa Dream Crushers, in reply, having lost an early wicket, built their chase through Sudin Kamat (31), Abhay Karande (19) and Mahesh Kudchadkar (15).
Needing 53 off the last 4 overs, Sagar Salgaocar with 32 runs (25 balls, 3 x 4s) and Shailesh Mahajan with an unbeaten 16 not out (7 balls, 1 x4s, 1 x6s) put up a brave fight to take Mapusa Dream Crushers on the cusp of victory. However with Shailesh Mahajan not able to score 5 runs required off the last ball bowled by Sudesh Prabhudesai, Pai Khot Fighters emerged victorious by 4 runs.
For Pai Khot Fighters, Pratap Prabhugaonkar had dream figures of 3-1-12-1 and received support from Sarvesh Kamat 1-31 and Sudesh Prabhudesai 1-31. Shailesh Mahajan, although finishing on the losing side, was awarded Desserts n More Man of the Final award for his brilliant all-round display.
The prize distribution ceremony was conducted with chief guest Padmashree Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Dr. Satish Kudchadkar, Shirish Kamat and Pooja Kunde being present.
Sarvesh Kamat (152 runs and 4 wickets from 5 matches) was awarded the Sarsangan Player of the Tournament. Sudin Kamat (155 runs in 5 matches) was awarded the Best Batter while Sandesh Kamat Bambolkar ( 5 wickets from 3 matches) collected the Best Bowler award. Rasik Pai Khot (123 runs and 3 wickets in 5 matches) collected the Most Energetic Player award. Mahendra Pai Kuchelkar (8 dismissals from 4 matches) was adjudged the best wicketkeeper while Shailesh Mahajan (6 dismissals from 5 matches) got the best fielder award.
