Anshuman Rath smashed a stroke-filled unbeaten 93 runs off just 97 balls to power Ministerial Services Sports Club (MSSC) to a nail-biting victory against All India Reporters (AIR) in the Guzder League ‘A’ Division Cricket tournament, organized by the Vidarbha Cricket Association, at the VCA Civil Lines ground here on Friday.
Rath, a former Hong Kong cricket team captain, delivered when it mattered the most with a belligerent 93 not out which helped MSSC record a thrilling victory.
Batting first, AIR put up a strong total of 252 for 9 in 50 overs. Southpaw Aman Sharma missed the hundred by a whisker. The flamboyant left-hander’s 98 runs came in 121 balls and studded with six sixes and three boundaries. Kshitij Dahiya (51, 69b, 7×4) also provided vital support. For MSSC, Sanket Subhedar was the most successful bowler with 3 for 21.
In reply, MSSC achieved the target on the last ball sparing just a solitary wicket. Southpaw Rath emerged as the star performer for MSSC and hammered 93 off 97 balls with the help of seven boundaries and a six.
At the VCA Jamtha, MRCC edged past Reshimbagh Gymkhana by seven runs. Opting to bat first, MRCC piled up a huge score of 242 for 8 in 35 overs. Opening batsman Siddhesh Wath cracked a brilliant hundred (123b, 123b, 8×4, 6×6). He was well supported by Atharva Taide (59, 61b, 2×4, 2×4). Rohit Dattatray remained not out on 29.
For Reshimbagh Gymkhana, Nachiket Bhute (3 for 19) was the main wicket-taker. Rahul Dongarwar (3 for 25) bowled well too.
In reply, Reshimbagh Gymkhana missed the target by just seven runs. They made 235 for 8 in 35 overs. Ashutosh Singh’s 82-run knock went in vain. Sumit Ruikar (36), Shreeyog Pawar and Shantanu (25 each) were the other contributors. For MRCC, Mohit Raut (3 for 54) bowled well. He was well supported by Shreekant Wagh (2 for 19).
Navniketan Cricket Club continued their winning streak and registered a four-wicket win over Advocate XI at the VCA Kalamna ground.
Riding on Rishabh’s century (105, 114b, 10×4, 4×6), Advocate XI made a decent total of 105 in 114 balls hitting ten boundaries and four sixes. Chakresh Khurana played an unbeaten knock of 46 in just 32 balls hitting three fours and an equal number of sixes.
Vaibhav Chandekar contributed 35. For Navniketan, Abhishek Gupta and Suniket Bingewar snared two wickets each.
In reply, Navniketan achieved the target in 48.5 overs losing six wickets. Thanks to middle order batsman Akshay Karnewar, who scored 60-ball 77 hitting four boundaries and six sixes.
Earlier, opening batsman Akshay Agrawal laid a solid foundation by scoring 71 in 83 balls smashing ten boundaries and a six. Dharmendra Ahlawat missed half century by four runs.
The match between Indian Gymkhana and Lipton Cricket Club was abandoned due to wet patches following overnight rain at the City Gymkhana ground.
