Mumbai’s upcoming cricketer Musheer Ahmed Khan once again showed his class and his brilliant all-round performances helped hosts Islam Gymkhana register a stunning 7-run victory against favourites Souvenir Cricket Club in an exciting semi-final match of the 71st Nawab Salar Jung Invitation T20 Cricket Tournament, organised by Islam Gymkhana under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), and played at the Islam Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive on Friday afternoon.
Young talented cricketer Musheer Ahmed Khan (left), Salman Khan (centre) and Sairaj Patil
The talented Musheer continued with his consistent batting form and smashed a 53-ball 87 runs which ensured Islam Gymkhana reach a challenging target of 167 for the loss of 7 wickets from their 20 overs. Musheer showed tremendous confidence and mixed caution with aggression against the rival bowlers and his cameo knock was studded with nine exquisite hits to the boundary and four well-timed shots over the ropes. He was finally dismissed when he tried to steal a cheeky single in the final over and failed to make his ground at the batting end. Irfan Mullick (2 for 25) was the most successful Souvenir CC bowler.
Later, Musheer played a significant role as Islam Gymkhana managed to restrict last edition’s runner-up Souvenir CC to 160 for 9 wickets from their quota of 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Musheer picked the crucial wicket of opener Aman Khan 43 (34balls, 5×4, 2×6) and also took two superb catches. His teammates medium pacer Sairaj Patil (4 for 23) and off-spinner Salman Khan (3 for 42) were responsible for getting the other wickets. Souvenir CC openers Akhil Herwadkar 43 (28balls, 4×4, 2×6) and Aman Khan had provided them with a solid start but the remaining batsmen were unable to offer much support and they had to bow out of the tournament.
Meanwhile, defending champions Parsee Gymkhana also crashed out as they suffered 20-run defeat at the hands of Muslim United Sports Club in the second semi-final at the Parsee Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive.
Muslim United opener Kevin D’Almeida cracked a 67-ball century 116 runs (15×4, 4×6) and his 104 runs partnership with Saieed Shaikh 32 runs for the second wicket helped them reach 193 for the loss of 6 wickets from 20 overs. Vinayak Bhoir chipped in with 20 runs, while Shams Mulani got 4 wickets for 31 runs.
Three-time champions Parsee Gymkhana could only manage to score 173 runs for the loss of 9 wickets from the 20 overs. Aatif Shaikh top-scored with an unbeaten 48 runs, while Swapnil Pradhan 31 runs and Vaibhav Kalamkar 25 runs kept them in the fight. Muslim United bowlers Saieed Shaikh (3 for 30), Vinayak Bhoir (3 for 32) and Ravishankar Singh (2 for 20) were mainly responsible for sealing their win.
Brief scores: Islam Gymkhana 167 for 7 wickets, 20 overs (Musheer Ahmed Khan 87 (53balls, 9×4, 4×6), Irfan Mullick 2 for 25) beat Souvenir Cricket Club 160 for 9 wickets, 20 overs (Akhil Herwadkar 43 (28balls, 4×4, 2×6), Aman Khan 43 (34balls, 5×4, 2×6), Khizar Dafedar 26; Sairaj Patil 4 for 23, Salman Khan 3 for 42, Musheer Ahmed Khan 1 for 27). Result: Islam Gymkhana won by 7 runs.
Muslim United Sports Club 193 for 6 wickets, 20 overs (Kevin D’Almeida 116 (67balls, 15×4, 4×6), Saieed Shaikh 32 (24balls, 2×4, 2×6), Vinayak Bhoir 20; Shams Mulani 4 for 31) beat Parsee Gymkhana 173 for 9 wickets, 20 overs (Aatif Shaikh 48* (31balls, 6×4, 2×6), Swapnil Pradhan 31, Vaibhav Kalamkar 25; Saieed Shaikh 3 for 30, Vinayak Bhoir 3 for 32, Ravishankar Singh 2 for 20). Result: Muslim United won by 20 runs.