Powered by the fine batting efforts of Shubham Ranjane’s 51 runs (32 balls, 7x4s,1x6s), Musavir Khote quick unbeaten 50 runs (14 balls, 4x4s,5x6s), and Salman Ahmed 49 runs (45 balls, 6x4s,1x6s) helped defending champions Islam Gymkhana register a comfortable 69 runs victory against Mumbai Police Gymkhana in a quarter-final match of the 72nd Salar Jung Invitation T20 Cricket Tournament, organised by Islam Gymkhana under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association, and played at the Islam Gymkhana ground.
Shubham Ranjne
Mumbai Police decision to field first, backfired as the Islam Gymkhana’s top-order batters were aggressive from the start and they scored runs freely and at a fast pace to finish their innings at a healthy 193 for 3 wickets in 20 overs. Opener Kaustubh Pawar retired hurt after making 38 runs (25 balls, 5x4s,1x6s) to set the pace for their big total.
Chasing a challenging target, Mumbai Police batsmen struggled to build a decent innings and lost wickets cheaply at regular intervals. The only batsmen to get runs on the board were Yogesh Patil 43 (17 balls, 6x6s), Swapnil Kulay 23 runs, and Rohit Pol 20 runs. Islam Gymkhana’s medium pacers Badre Alam (3/26) and Nadeem Shaikh (2/13), and leggie Vinayak Bhoir (2/27) got the wickets to dismiss Mumbai Police for 129 runs in 17 overs and complete their win to charge into the semi-finals. Home challengers Islam Gymkhana will meet Souvenir CC in the semi-final on Saturday.
In another quarter-final match, which witnessed a tense finish, last year’s runners-up Muslim United SC held their nerves to defeat Young Mohammedan CC by 3 wickets to advance to the semi-finals. They will clash with strong favourites Parsee Gymkhana.
Young Mohammedan who were sent to bat first, did well to pile up a substantial total of 168 for 6 wickets from 20 overs. Jay Bista was the leading batter with a 50-ball 53 runs with two boundaries and two sixes, while Sandeep Kunchikar added 27 runs. In reply, Muslim United managed to cross the finish line reaching 169 for 7 wickets in their quota of 20 overs. The heroes of Muslim United’s win was the lower order batsmen Sachin Katkar 41 not out (21balls, 2x4s, 4x6s) and Dhrumil Matkar 41 not out (31balls, 4x4s) which secured their narrow win. Shashank Attarde (2/24) and Jay Bista (2/24) got the wickets.
Brief scores: Young Mohammedan CC 168 for 6 wickets, 20 overs (Jay Bista 53 (50 balls, 2x4s, 2x6s), Sandeep Kunchikar 27) lost to Muslim United SC 169 for 7 wickets, 20 overs (Sachin Katkar 41* (21balls, 2x4s, 4x6s), Dhrumil Matkar 41* (31balls, 4x4s); Shashank Attarde 2/24, Jay Bista 2/24). Result: Muslim United SC won by 3 wickets.
Islam Gymkhana 198 for 3 wickets, 20 overs (Shubham Ranjane 51 (32balls, 7x4s, 1x6s), Musavir Khote 50* (14balls, 4x4s, 5x6s), Salman Ahmed 49 (45 balls, 6x4s, 1x6s), Kaustubh 38 (25balls, 5x4s, 1x6s) retd hurt; Umar Khan 1/14) beat Mumbai Police Gymkhana 129 all out, 17 overs (Yogesh Patil 43 (17 balls, 6x6s); Badre Alam 3/26, Nadeem Shaikh 2/13, Vinayak Bhoir 2/27). Result: Islam Gymkhana won by 69 runs.