Saturday’s games saw the Avengers clinch the league title with a game to play, despite their first loss of the season in the opening match of the double header. The Superkings upset the previously unbeaten Avengers by 17 runs. The Avengers seemed well in control of the game after the Superkings slumped to 40/6. Neelav Dhawan (25*) and Dave Liverman (14) put together a partnership of 31, and allowed the Superkings to bat out their overs, but for a sub-par total of only 82. Deep Patel was the pick of the bowlers with 2/10, Samaa Madhawa also taking two wickets and Rahul Vashishtha conceding only 10 runs from his four overs.
Neelav took a wicket in his first over, and then took a brilliant diving catch at point to dismiss the league’s top scorer Rahul Vashishtha – 7/2. Fahad Ijaz (19) and Gihan Abeywickrama (14) batted patiently and seemed to be steering the Avengers to victory as they took the score to 47/2. Purvi Kalyan bowled Gihan and precipitated a collapse, with the last 8 wickets falling for only 18 runs.
Rakesh Negi took 3/7 and also contributed an outstanding run out, and Tahla Riaz and Adil Ilyasi took two wicket apiece.
Neelav Dhawan was named man of the match for his all round performance.
Scorecard
The second match saw the Avengers return to their dominant form, beating the Eagles by 135 runs. The Avengers batted first. After an early wicket Rahul Vashishtha took charge with a rapid 68 in 29 balls- with 60 of his runs coming from sixes! Gihan Abeywickrama (37) provided good support in a 118 run second wicket partnership. The Avengers posted a total of 193/8, Nouman Rashid and Nadeem Saqlain each taking three wickets. In reply, the Eagles were bowled out for 58 in 13.5 overs, Rahul taking 3/13 in a man of the match performance, and Samaa Madhawa taking two wickets. Khurram Shezad top-scored for the Eagles with 14.
Scorecard
The win sees the Avengers clinch first place in the league and a place in the Atul Ajuha Trophy final, with their opponents to be decided in next weekend’s matches.

Cricket on CBC
With the sport flourishing in St. John’s, guest host Adam Walsh speaks with Senthil Selvamani – the president of Cricket Newfoundland and Labrador.
Audio