With top order led by Shahen Mistry, in full flow, Paradigm Borivali Warriors thrashed Chembur Strikers by 103 runs in their concluding tie to top pool A in the 8-team SAI-Mumbai Masters T-20 League, powered by Paradigm Reality, at the Police Gymkhana’s floodlit ground here last night. With this win, the Warriors go into the semi final knock-out where they meet Pool B runners-up Shivaji Park Superstars, while the other semifinal will see Pool B winners Juhu Heroes taking on pool A runners-up Worli Pitch Smashers. Both the semifinals will be played on the same day, while the final is slated to be held on Saturday, March 17.
Borivali Warriors’ Shahen Mistry, receiving the man-of-the-match award from the MMPL president Jwala Singh. This was Shahen’s second Man-of-the-match award in the 8-team SAI-Mumbai Masters T-20 league.
Opting to bat first, the Warriors were well served by Shahen Mistry (58),Shavin Afshan (41) and skipper Niket Korgaonkar (32) as they rattled up 216 for five in the allotted 20 overs. They were helped by the lacklustre bowling by the Chembur Strikers, who, in reply were equally hopeless while chasing such a big total, as they were bowled out for 113. Medium pacer Santosh Singh (2/10), Gautam Minocha (2/20) and offspinner Niket Korgankar (2/9) shared the bowling honours..
In the pool B tie, allround show by Yogesh Patil, featured in Shivaji Park Superstars scoring a 7-wicket win over Santacruz Crackers and get the ticket for semifinal berth on basic of better run rate. Yogesh captured three wickets for 30 runs as ‘The Crackers’ ended with 150 for eight. And Yogesh was again in action with bat as he top-scored with 48 while Shivaji Park outfit chased the target with seven wickets to spare.
The semifinals line up is: Paradium Borivali Warriors vs Shivaji Park Superstars ; Worli Pitch Smashers vs Juhu Heroes .
Brief scores: POOL A: Paradigm Borivali Warriors 216/5 (Shahen Mistry 58 (6×4, 4×6), Shavin Afshan 41, Niket Korgaonkar 32, Siddharth Khanna 2/35) bt
Chembur Strikers 113 all out (Santosh Singh 2/10, Gautam Minocha 2/20,Niket Korgaonkar 2/9) by 119 runs.
POOL B: Santacruz Crackers 150/8 (Mehul Kamat 40, Milind Darekar 39, Nikhil Pagdhare 22; Yogesh Patil 3/30, Saurabh Joshi 2/20) lost to Shivaji Park Superstars 151/3 0ff 13.4 overs (Yogesh Patil 48, Nishant Sabnis45, Amar Padhaye 39) by 7 wkts.