Champs Payyade meet New Hind in Opening Tie : Police Shield’21

Mumbai, November 26: Reigning champs Payyade will clash with New Hind SC in the opening Group-A two-day match of the Automotive Manufacturing Private Limited-74^th Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2020-2021 to be played at the New Hind ground, Matunga over the weekend.

Meanwhile, last editions runners-up Cricket Club of India will meet former champs MIG Cricket Club in a Group-B encounter at the CCI ground, Churchgate. Hosts Mumbai Police Gymkhana will open their campaign against Karnatak SA in a Group-D to be played at the Police Gymkhana ground.

Hot favourites, Parsee Gymkhana, who claimed two successive titles, winning the Talim Shield tournament in October and recently won the Madhav Mantri Centenary One-Day tournament, will hosts Bombay Gymkhana in a Group-C encounter.

The cream of cricketers, representing 16 top teams from the city, will be seen in action during this tournament to be organized under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

The other strong contenders are, Sponsors XI, Parkophene Cricketers, Islam Gymkhana, P.J. Hindu Gymkhana, National CC, Shivaji Park Gymkhana, MCA Colts and Sainath Sports Club.

The 16 teams have been divided into four groups and initially the matches will be played on a league basis. The matches will be played over 70-overs format over three weekends. The top team from each group will qualify for the semi-finals on December 18 and 19 and the 3-day grand finale is scheduled from December 24 to 26.

All the Matches will be played as per the New Model Rules of the Mumbai Cricket Association.

The groupings — Group-A: Payyade SC, New Hind SC, Sponsor XI, Islam Gymkhana.

Group-B: Cricket Club of India, MIG CC, National CC, P.J. Hindu Gymkhana.

Group-C: Parsee Gymkhana, Bombay Gymkhana, Sainath SC, Shivaji Park Gymkhana.

Group-D: Karnatak SA, Parkophene Cricketers, MCA Colts and Mumbai Police Gymkhana.