PANAJI: Manas Panjim Gymkhana got off to a winning start in the Bandodkar Premier League T20 tournament organised by Panjim Gymkhana here on Tuesday. The hosts beat Alcon MCC by six wickets in a dominant display.
Alcon MCC posted a total of 154/9 in their allotted 20 overs with captain Darshan Misal continuing his amazing form with the bat as he top-scored with 64 runs off 40 balls. Coming in at No 5 with Chowgule struggling at 18/3, Darshan first combined with Prathamesh Gawas for a partnership of 32 runs to steady the Chowgule innings. However, wickets kept tumbling at the other end even as Darshan played stunning shots which included seven boundaries and three sixes. He was the seventh wicket to fall with Alcon MCC being reduced to 106/7. All-rounder Deepak Punia then launched a counter attack with a blistering 41 off 29 balls (4×4, 2×6) and his knock powered Alcon MCC past the 150-run mark and gave their team something to bowl at considering the depth in Manas PG side.
Manas Panjim Gymkhana’s Shubham Desai took 3/25 and he was named the player of the match; while Tanay Thyagarajan and Achit Shigwan took two wickets each.
A host of important contributions with the bat saw Manas Panjim Gymkhana reach the target of 155 in 19.1 overs as Alcon MCC bowlers failed to make an impact on a batting paradise of a pitch. Dhrumil Matkar with 37 runs off 25 balls (1×4, 2×6) was the top-scorer while Azaan Thota (33), skipper Snehal Kauthankar (27) and Rajshekhar Harikant (26) made a mark in building the momentum. Tunish Sawkar provided his trademark touch like only he can with power-hitting in his knock of 9-ball 22 not out , which consisted three sixes and boosted PG run rate that can come handy in the qualifying calculations. Alcon ACC bowlers Sumit Kumar, Heramb Parab, captain Darshan Misal and Keith Pinto took one wicket each.
The player of the match award was presented by Prashant Kakode, member of Panjim Gymkhana Managing Committee.