Parsee Gymkhana regained their dominance in Mumbai cricket as they defeated hosts and defending champions Islam Gymkhana by seven wickets in the final 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.
The hot favourites Parsee Gymkhana, have now clinched a record fourth title in five MCA tournaments this season. They, had suffered a ‘Super’ over loss to eventual champs Cricket Club of India in the Bombay Gymkhana organized R.F.S. Talyarkhan T20 Cricket Tournament last month.
The architect of Parsee Gymkhana’s victory was opener Aakarshit Gomel, whose dashing knock of an unbeaten 47-ball 66 runs (7x4s, 2x6s), helped the team surpass the winning target reaching 148 for the loss of three wickets in 18.3 overs. Nikhil Patil cracked a 17-ball unbeaten 32 runs (4x4s, 1x 6s) and along with Gomel they were associated in an unbroken 65-run partnership to ensure Parsee Gymkhana to comfortably cross the finish line. Medium pacer Shubham Ranjane (2/32), was the most successful Islam Gymkhana bowler.
Earlier, Islam Gymkhana, who were put in to bat first, struggled to get going and cheaply lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed cheaply for only 144 runs from the stipulated 20 overs. Number five bat Shubham Ranjane 36 runs (34 balls, 4x4s) was the lone batsmen who managed to stay long in the middle and play a decent innings. Left-arm spinners Sagar Udheshi (2/12) and Shams Mulani (2/34) and medium pacer Aquib Qureshi (2/34) were responsible for restricting Islam Gymkhana to a low total.
Chief Guest, former Indian captain and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar, presented the champions Prasee Gymkhana players with the winners’ purse of Rs 75,000 and the handsome Salar Jung Trophy, and handed Islam Gymkhana captain and players the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
Shubham Ranjane, who scored a total of 136 runs and picked 9 wickets in the tournament was later declared ‘Man of the tournament’ and received a cash award of Rs 10,000 and a handsome trophy from Vengsarkar. Aakarshit Gomel who made an unbeaten 66 runs in the final won the ‘Man of the final’ award and a cash prize of Rs 5,000. Aquib Qureshi (7 wickets) and Swapnil Salvi (163 runs from 58 balls, 18x6s, 8x4s), both of Islam Gymkhana bagged the ‘Best bowler’ and ‘Best batsman’ awards respectively and they earned a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each.
Brief scores: Islam Gymkhana 144 all out, in 19.5 overs (Shubham Ranjane 36 (34 balls, 4x4s); Sagar Udheshi 2/12, Shams Mulani 2/34, Aquib Qureshi 2/34) lost to Parsee Gymkhana 148 for 3 wickets, 18.3 overs (Aakarshit Gomel 66* (47 balls, 7x4s, 2x6s), Nikhil Patil 32* (17balls, 4x4s, 1x 6s); Shubham Ranjane 2/32). Result: Parsee Gymkhana won by 7 wickets.
Individual awards – Man of the tournament: Shubham Ranjane – Islam Gymkhana (136 runs, 9 wickets).
Man of the final: Aakarshit Gomel – Parsee Gymkhana (66 not out).
Best bowler: Aquib Qureshi – Islam Gymkhana (7 wickets).
Best batsman: Swapnil Salvi – Islam Gymkhana (163 runs from 58 balls, 18x6s, 8x4s).