71st Police Invitation Shield Cricket
Skipper and leg spinner Pradeep Sahu produced a superb spell (5/54) to bowl Parkhophene Cricketers into a strong winning position. Parkhophene grabbed a healthy 130-run first innings lead against Payyade Cricket Club on the second day of their three-day final of the Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd sponsored 71st Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2018, and played at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive on Sunday.
Parkhophene who had scored 371 in their first (90 overs) innings were disciplined in their bowling and bundled out Payyade for 241 runs in 57 overs in the first innings. Captain Sahu intelligently rotated the bowling and with his teasing leg-breaks he played a crucial role by picking up the last four wickets to terminate the Payyade innings and secure his team a massive lead. Left-arm medium pacer Royston Dias (3/62) played a good supporting role by picking up the early wickets which also included the scalp of Payyade captain Parag Khanapurkar (63 runs).
Payyade resumed their innings at the overnight score of 3 for no loss in one over, but suffered a setback in the first over of the day when opener Hersh Tank became Dias’ first victim trapped leg before for six runs. The other opener Akhil Herwadkar did not last long as he was dismissed for just one run in the third over.
A 63-run third wicket partnership between Vikrant Auti (29) and Salman Ahmed helped Payyade stay in the fight. Later middle-order batsmen Shubham Ranjane (76) and Khanapurkar (63) were involved in fifth wicket association which produced 107 runs before the former succumbed to the guiles of Sahu in the 47th over. Thereafter, Khanapurkar received no support from the remaining batsmen and their innings folded, conceding the advantage to Parkhophene Cricketers who will start their second (40 overs) innings on Monday with a 130 runs lead.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, has consented to be the ‘Chief Guest’ at prize distribution function at Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 5.00 pm. The 71st Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2018 has been conducted under the Chairmanship of Shri S. K. Jaiswal, The Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai.
Brief scores: Parkhophene Cricketers (Ist Innings, 90 overs): 371 all out in 83.5 overs Vs Payyade Sports Club (Ist Innings, 90 overs): 241 all out in 57 overs (Shubham Ranjane 76, Parag Khanapurkar 63, Salman Ahmad 33; Pradeep Sahu 5/54, Royston Dias 3/62).
Parkhophene Cricketers lead by 130 runs.