Al-Barkat claim to spot in group B after huge win against Lilavati Potdar School
Al-Barkat clinched to top spot after crushing Lilavati Potdar School by an innings and 176 runs. Lilavati Potdar made a blunder when they put in Al-Barkat to bat after winning the toss. They were looking to restrict Al-Barkat to a small total but what happened was exactly the opposite of it. Al-Barkat were 66 for 3, in walked Jahangir Ansari and then was a big partnership of 138 runs for 5th wicket between Ansari and Mantosh Yadav. Scoring with a strike rate of 136, Ansari completed his ton in just 85 balls with 19 fours. Meanwhile, Yadav gave a support from other end scoring a patient 89. With their heroics and some good support from others (including 40 extra’s which Lilavati Potdar conceded) they declared at 400 for 7 with Ansari remaining unbeaten.
They scored these runs pretty quickly at the healthy run rate of 4.76 in 84 overs. No bowler from Lilavati Potdar could resist Al-Barkat batsman. Lilavati Potdar’s openers started well as they made 51 runs for 1st wicket. Rajesh Sardar got both their openers and they were reduced to 86 for 2. Jahangir Ansari once again strike back, this time with a ball taking 3 wickets for just 39 runs. Lilavati Potdar’s batting collapsed completely after that and eventually got all out for 145 in 59.4 overs. They were short of 255 runs at that time.
Al-Barkat enforced a follow on but Lilavati Potdar performed even worse in 2nd innings. None of their batsman could hang in there thus resulting in all out on mere 79. It was Jahangir Ansari again who took 4 wickets this time. It was indeed a spectacular win for Al-Barkat. At the same time, with such a poor performance, Lilavati Potdar’s journey in Harris shield is almost over. It will be a miracle if they turn this around from here.
In Group B, there is tough competition between IES and Al-Barkat now. Both of them have won their games with an innings margin. With only one team to qualify from each group, the match between these two giants will be an interesting contest. The other 2 teams have no chance at all to get back into competition after suffering heavy defeat. Having said that, they can play a key role in deciding the fate of these two top teams as ultimately it will come down to run rate in case the points are same. Overall, the situation is quite interesting in group B, with one of the 2 teams, Al-Barakat and IES to qualify for semis.