Saturday saw another perfect day for cricket, with the ground in top-class condition.
The Tigers took on Royal Challengers in a battle between 2nd and 3rd placed teams. Maanik Arora in in a rich vein of form, and followed his century last week with 91 from just 44 balls, with eight fours and five sixes. At 145/3 with 7 overs left, Tigers seemed set for a big score but an inspired spell of bowling by Shashi Parbhane saw them bowled out for 182 in the final over. Shashi took 5/38, putting his name on the Cricket NL honours board.
Royal Challengers got off to a great start with an opening partnership of 63 in 4 overs between Amit Neghandi (20) and Ranvir Rana (49 from 20 balls). Waqas Ahmed kept up the momentum with 28, but wickets continued to fall. The 7th wicket fell with 22 still needed but Tendai Mudunge (14*) steered Royal Challengers home with 10 balls and 3 wickets in hand. Junayed Tushar led bowlers with 3/34. Both teams now have three wins and a loss.
NSK played the Eagles in the second match of the day. Nick Baxter dismissed both openers for ducks in the opening overs, and took another wicket to leave Eagles 25/3. Raheel Zaman (37) and Madusanka Prabath (30) mounted a rescue effort with a partnership of 49. Najaf Raza made an important contribution of 42, dismissed in the last over, and the Eagles finished on 155/8. Nick Baxter added another wicket to record figures of 4/18.
NSK in reply made a steady start but regularly lost wickets. Raga Ganesan made 30, Nick Baxter 23 and Raza Riaz gave NSK some hope with 25, taking them close, but they were bowled out for 138 in the final over, giving Eagles a vital win by 17 runs. Raheel Zaman and Hssan Ghafoor each took 2 wickets, Hassan’s dismissal of Nick earning him the Indus Eatery moment of the match.
The final match saw Wolves beat Stars by 27 runs. Wolves batted first, making 157/7, with Aryan Falke making 42, Akash 28, and Bryan Mabhiza 20. Irtiza Dar led the Stars bowling with 2/33.
In reply Stars were bowled out for 130, with Akhil Shaji making 44*. The wickets were shared by five Wolves bowlers. The Indus Eatery Player of the Match was Akhil Shaji.
The race for the top four is still wide open with five teams still in it.
NSK top the table with 8 points and play the Tigers in their final match. Eagles, Tigers and Royal Challengers each have 6 points. Eagles have played five matches and face the Stars in their final match. Tigers play NSK next week and finish against the Wolves, Royal Challengers play Wolves and Hurricanes. Wolves are on four points but could still qualify with two wins against Royal Challengers and Tigers.