Musheer’s fine efforts help Mumbai Police win title

Mumbai, May 21: Young talented all-rounder Musheer Khan played a significant role with bat and ball, which ensured Mumbai Police City Riders emerge champions by comfortably defeating Thane Marathas by 20 runs in the final of the Mumbai Cricket Club (MCC) and Jwala Sports Foundation (JSF) organized MitsuiShoji T20 Cricket League (Season 9), played under floodlights at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive on Saturday.

Chief Guest, Chaminda Vaas, Sri Lanka’s legendary fast bowlers awarded the Champions and Runners-up Trophies and the cash awards to the two teams. Mumbai Police received a cheque of Rs 70,000 and Thane Marathas had to rest content with a sum of Rs 30,000.

Sent in to bat first, Mumbai Police riding on Musheer’s blistering innings piled up a massive total of 167 for 8 wickets in 20 overs. The 18-year-old opening batsman Musheer played some exquisite strokes on both sides of the wicket and went on to score a quick 32-ball 61 runs which was studded with six boundaries and five well-struck hits over the fence. Musheer along with Hardik Tamore 29 runs put on 77 runs for 1st wicket in 7.5 overs which laid the foundation for Mumbai Police to build a substantial total. Later, Shrikant Limbole added 28 runs to lift the Mumbai Police innings.

Later, the left-arm spinner Musheer claimed 3 quick wickets for 17 runs to dismiss Thane Marathas for 147 in 19 overs. Left-arm spinner Sagar Mishra 2 for 14 and medium pacer Deepak Shetty 2 for 26 played perfect supporting roles.

Middle-order bat Harshal Jadhav 45 runs (37-balls, 3×4,2×6) and Sagar Jadhav 29 (20-balls, 2×4,2×6) tried to  keep Marathas in the fight, but the other batsmen failed to stay long at the crease and they failed to reach the winning target.

For his remarkable performances Musheer was the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award.

The former Sri Lankan fast bowler Chaminda was impressed with the concept of this tournament and the efforts of Jwala Singh and the Mumbai Cricket Club and the Jwala Sports Foundation. “Conducting such tournaments is good for the sport. It certainly benefits the youngsters, helps in the promotion of the game and develops players for the future,” Vaas said during the prize distribution function.

“I have been here in Mumbai for the past 5 days and spent plenty of time with youngsters during the JSF High Performance training camp. I noticed that there are so many talented young cricketers, who are being trained by highly qualified coaches. Jwala (Singh) is a reputed and dedicated coach who is extremely passionate about cricket and keen to encourage youngsters. He has already produced several top class cricketers and I am confident that many more players from his academies will make it big,” the left-handed speedster pointed out.

Brief scores: Mumbai Police City Riders 167 for 8, 20 overs (Musheer Khan 61 (32-balls, 6×4,5×6), Hardik Tamore 29 (25-balls, 3×4,1×6), Shrikant Limbole 28 (19-balls, 5×4) beat Thane Marathas 147 all out, 19 overs (Harshal Jadhav 45 (37-balls, 3×4,2×6), Sagar Jadhav 29 (20-balls, 2×4,2×6); Musheer Khan 3 for 17, Sagar Mishra 2 for 14, Deepak Shetty 2 for 26). Result: Mumbai Police City Riders won by 20 runs.