Muslim United Sports Club continued with their impressive winning form and stormed into the final defeating hosts Islam Gymkhana by six wickets in a semi-final match of the 74th Nawab Salar Jung Invitation T20 Cricket Tournament 2024, organised by the Islam Gymkhana under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association, and played at the Islam Gymkhana on Monday.
Choosing to field, Muslim United managed to restrict Islam Gymkhana to 199 for 8 wickets from their 20 overs. Opening bat Pravin Deshetti, who had scored a match-winning century in the previous match, once again played confidently and top-scored with a 42-balls 87 runs (11x4s,5x6s). Gaurish Jadhav and Iqbal Abdullah contributed 35 and 31 runs to swell the total, while Yaseen Saudagar claimed 4 wickets for 30 runs.
In response, Muslim United started hesitantly, but opener Awais Khan took the attack to the rival bowlers and smashed a 58-ball 98 runs (14x4s, 3x6s). Awais and Anand Bais 23 runs put together a 78-run partnership for the second wicket and to laid the foundation for their win. Later, Vaibhav Mali to lay the foundation for their win. Later, Moin Khan 26 not out and Vaibhav Mali 16 not out steered Muslim United to a satisfying win. Hitesh Kadam 2 for 24 and Sairaj Patil 2 for 33 were Islam Gymkhana’s best bowlers.
In the second semi-final, Young Mohammedan Cricket Club scored a resounding 114 runs win against Bombay Gymkhana to set up a title clash with Muslim United.
Batting first, Young Mohammedan amassed a challenging total of 228 for 8 in 20 overs. Akhil Herwarkar 63 runs, Akhtar Shaikh 40 runs, Maxwell Swaminathan 37 runs, Ayush Vartak 22 runs and Jay Bista 21 runs propped the Mohammedan’s innings. In reply, Bombay Gymkhana were dismissed for 114 runs in 16.2 overs. Wasim Ashraf 24 runs and Sujay Thakkar 20 runs managed to get some runs on the board. Asif Shaikh 4 for 16 and Jay Bista 2 for 34 were responsible to get the wickets.
Brief scores: Islam Gymkhana 199 for 8, 20 overs (Pravin Deshetti 87 (42b, 11x4s,5x6s), Gaurish Jadhav 35, Iqbal Abdullah 31; Yaseen Saudagar 4/30) lost Muslim United SC 200 for 6, 20 overs (Awais Khan 98 (58b, 14x4s, 3x6s), Moin Khan 26*, Anand Bais 23, Vaibhav Mali 16*; Hitesh Kadam 2/24, Sairaj Patil 2/33).
Young Mohammedan CC 228 for 8, 20 overs (Akhil Herwarkar 63, Akhtar Shaikh 40, Maxwell Swaminathan 37, Ayush Vartak 22, Jay Bista 21; Salman Khan 2/28) beat Bombay Gymkhana 114 all out, 16.2 overs (Wasim Ashraf 24, Sujay Thakkar 20; Asif Shaikh 4/16, Jay Bista 2/34).