Payyade SC and Parsee Gymkhana to clash in Police Shield Finals

Mumbai, December 19:

Payyade Sports Club and Parsee Gymkhana, both recorded comfortable victories in their respective semi-final encounters to set up an interesting final of the Automotive Manufacturing-74th Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2021-2022, organised under the auspices of MCA.

The defending champions Payyade defeated former champions Parkophene Cricketers by 5-wickets at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground on Sunday. In the other semi-final, strong favourites Parsee Gymkhana rode on the combined efforts of Sachin Yadav 115 runs and all-rounder Shams Mulani 90 runs and 4 for 31 runs to crush MIG Cricket Club by a thumping 237 runs margin at the Wankhede Stadium.

Parkophene Cricketers batsmen who were rattled by Payyade’s left-arm medium pacers Royston Dias (4 for 35) and Atif Attarwala (4 for 54) and were dismissed cheaply for 163 runs in 42.4 overs were unable to defend their low total.

Payyade batsmen batted steadily and without much hiccups surpassed the opponents total reaching 165 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 43.5 overs and move a step closer towards defending their title. Akhil Herwadkar 42 runs, Sagar Mishra 40 runs and Siddhesh Lad 30 runs made useful contributions to ensure their team easily crossed the finish line. Parkophene Cricketers medium pacer Aashray Sajnani claimed 4 wickets for 57 runs.

Payyade will have a chance to settle scores with Parsee Gymkhana having lost to them in the Padmakar Talim Shield final in October.

Parsee Gymkhana, who are on a hot winning streak having recently won the Talim Shield and Madhav Mantri Centenary One-Day League titles, were in a dominant mood from the start. Resuming at their overnight score of 317 for 5 wickets, Parsee Gymkhana consolidated their innings adding 48 more runs before being dismissed for 365 all out in 69.5 overs.

Left-handed Sachin Yadav who was unbeaten on 97 duly completed his ton making 115 runs (112b, 12×4, 2×6), while the other overnight batsman Shams Mulani added just two more runs before losing his wicket for a sedate 90 runs. Suryakumar Yadav 35 runs, Aakarshit Gomel 33 runs, and Nikhil Patil (Jr.) 31 runs helped prop the innings. Left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar (4 for 57), Nikhil Date (3 for 81), and Shreyas Gurav (2 for 30) were the bowlers who shared the wickets.

Chasing a mammoth winning target, MIG Cricket Club’s batters were unable to tackle the rival bowling attack and they collapsed for a mere 128 in 42.4 overs. Sheesh Shetty was the only batsman to stay long at the crease scoring 29 runs. Medium-pacer Siddarth Raut (4 for 27) and left-arm spinner Shams Mulani (4 for 31), who also made a useful contribution with the ball, secured Parsee Gym’s success.

Brief scores: Parkophene Cricketers: 163 all out in 42.4 overs (Arun Yadav 42; Roystan Dias 4/35, Atif Attarwala 4/54) Vs Payyade Sports Club: 165/5 in 43.5 overs (Akhil Herwadkar 42, Sagar Mishra 40, Siddhesh Lad 30; Aashray Sajnani 4/57). Result: Payyade Sports Club won by 5 wickets.

Parsee Gymkhana: 365 all out in 69.5 overs (Sachin Yadav 115 (112b, 12×4, 2×6), Shams Mulani 90, Suryakumar Yadav 35, Aakarshit Gomel 33, Nikhil Patil (Jr.) 31; Arjun Tendulkar 4/57, Nikhil Date 3/81, Shreyas Gurav 2/30) beat MIG Cricket Club: 128 all out in 42.4 overs (Sheesh Shetty 29; Siddarth Raut 4/27, Shams Mulani 4/31). Result: Parsee Gymkhana won by 237 runs.

GORDON D COSTA