A solid batting performance by Kevin D’Almeida cracked 91 runs helped MIG Cricket Club register a convincing 4-wicket victory against Payyade Sports Club on the second day of their two-day semi-final match of the Eagle Thane Strikers sponsored 72nd Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2019, and played at the MIG Cricket ground, Bandra on Sunday.
Payyade resuming at the overnight score of 219 for 8 wickets, in 56 overs, lost the last two wickets for the addition of just eight runs and in four overs. In reply, MIG Cricket Club batsmen were dominant and D’Almeida laid the foundation with a cameo innings. Balkrishna Shirke made a substantial contribution scoring an unbeaten 52 runs to take MIG Cricket Club to victory and a place in the three-day final starting from Saturday, December 14.
In the second semi-final, Parkophene Cricketers comfortably defeated MCA Colts by 7 wickets at the Police Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive. MCA Colts were dismissed for a paltry 144 in 29.5 overs as left-arm pacer Royston Dias (6 for 54) did the damage. Parkophene Cricketers easily chased the target scoring 146 for 3 wickets, in 43.2 overs. Vikrant Auti (50 runs) and Adib Usmani (42 runs) carried the team to a 7 wickets victory.
Brief scores:
MCA Colts: 144 all out, in 29.5 overs (Aatif Shaikh 31; Royston Dias 6 for 54) lost to Parkophene Cricketers: (overnight 64 for 1 wicket, in 17 overs) 146 for 3 wickets, in 43.2 overs (Vikrant Auti 50, Adib Usmani 42). Result: Parkophene Cricketers won by 7 wickets.
Payyade Sports Club: (overnight 219 for 8 wickets, in 56 overs) 227 all out, 60 overs (Akhil Herwadkar 64, Hersh Tank 39, Hardik Tamore 32; Shreyas Gurav 3 for 19, Ankush Jaiswal 3 for 78) lost to MIG Cricket Club: 229 for 6 wickets, in 61.1 overs (Kevin D’Almeida 91, Balkrishna Shirke 52*). Result: MIG Cricket Club won by 4 wickets.