Openers Prithvi Shaw (53) and Vikrant Auti (51) steer North Mumbai Panthers to a commanding win in the T20 Mumbai’19

North Mumbai Panthers who batted first at Wankhede were off to a stunning start with openers Shaw and Auti putting on 84 runs in just 9 overs. While skipper Shaw played an aggressive knock hitting 53 off 31 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes), it was Auti who played the anchors role batting till the 16^th over en-route his 41 ball 51. Vikrant who was the highest run getter in Times Shield 2017 also smashed 3 double centuries in 2018 edition just showing the ample amount of experience he possesses at the top of the order. North Mumbai Panthers at the end of the 20 overs reached a total of 175/8 in 20 overs. From the bowlers- spinners Sujit Nayak with 2/23 in 4 overs and Aditya Dhumal with 2/29 in 4 overs were the pick of the bowlers.

Namo Bandra Blasters who were 21/5 at one stage thanks to some brilliant opening spells by the Mumbai Panthers bowlers got back into the game with some hard fought innings by Sujit (29), Siddarth Chitnis (50*) and Aditya Dhumal (38) but still they were far away from the total reaching 148/7 at the end of the 20 overs. Left arm pacer Atif Attarwala who has a brilliant bowling action coupled with seam and swing has been impressive in the tournament once again being the pick of the bowlers with 3/34 in 4 overs. Experienced Spinner Rahul Sawant with 2/15 in 4 overs was equally impressive with the ball.

Namo Bandra Blasters won the match by 27 runs on the back of their good opening partnership coupled with some really tight bowling by Atif and Rahul.

• Brief Scores-
• North Mumbai Panthers-175/8 in 20 overs, Prithvi Shaw 53, V Auti-51, Sujit Nayak 2/23, A Dhumal 2/29
• Namo Bandra Blasters-148/7 in 20 overs, Siddarth Chitnis 50*, Aditya D 38, Atif Attarwala 3/34, Rahul Sawant 2/27
• Result-Namo Bandra Blasters win by 27 runs