The weekend’s matches opened with a match between the teams that contested last year’s Saini Cup, the Avengers and Newfoundland Super Kings. This turned out to be a one-sided encounter, with the Avengers winning by 8 wickets, overtaking NSK’s 74 all out in just 6.4 overs. NSK won the toss and batted first, and despite the loss of Abishek Doshi in the second over, got off to a good start, reaching 33/1 after 4 overs. The Avengers tactics of using their spinners in the early overs paid off, however, as both Talha Riaz (13) and Amit Sundly hit high catches into the sure hands of Barath Shetty at long on from the bowling of Madhu Bandara. Praveen Manhas took his second wicket when he bowled NSK captain Rakesh Negi, and then debutant Mirihan ran through the middle order with his leg spin. He ended up with 2/5, Praveen 2/9, Deep 2/2 and Madhu 2/23 as NSK were dismissed in the 19th over. NSK tried the same tactics of spin early in the innings but were less successful as Rahul Vashishtha smashed 54 from 19 balls with four fours and five sixes. The umpires had a tough choice with man of the match but awarded it to Mirihan
Scorecard – note the 15th over – a wicket maiden was bowled by Deep Patel, not Mihiran, so Deep’s figures should be 2-1-2-2, Mihiran 2-0-5-2, with Deep taking Adeel’s wicket.
A record-breaking effort by the Eagles gave them a big victory over the Royal Challengers. Their total of 272/3 is the highest recorded since the outdoor Summer 20-over league started 7 years ago. Mesam Timmar led the way with a fine century- an unbeaten 109 from 50 balls, with five fours and eight sixes. Raheel Zaman made a rapid 61 not out (28 balls, 5×4, 3×6), putting on 123 with Mesam in 7.9 overs.
The Royal Challengers battled hard, making 101 with Kamal Gosal top-scoring with 36, and Manvir Mann 32. Zohair Syed led the bowlers with 3 wickets. Mesam was named man-of-the-match.
Scorecard
On Sunday the Avengers took on the Bangladesh Tigers. A good bowling effort by the Tigers restricted the Avengers to 144/9 from their 20 overs. Gurman Khurana (26) and Madhu Bandara (23) were the leading scorers but mention should be made of the 36 run 10th wicket partnership between Hassan Gafoor (8) and Saravana Kumar (15). Shaifan Ahmed took an impressive 4/16, with good support from Indraneel Malik (2/16) and Abu Syed (2/36).
The Tigers struggled in their reply against some tight bowling. Madhu Bandra took two wickets in his first over to make the early breakthrough, and Deep Patel took 3 wickets as the Tigers were bowled out for 86. Madhu was named man of the match.
Scorecard (partial)
Note: The Tigers innings was reconstructed from partial paper scoring. From 33/7 they lost Sadman Amin, caught by Rahul Roy off the bowling of Saravana Kumar, but Shaifan Ahmed and Ayaz batted out the overs, Ayaz making about 30.