Souvenir CC, Islam Gymkhana march into semi-finals of T20 Salar Jung Tournament’21

Mumbai: Title-contenders and last edition runners-up Souvenir Cricket Club defeated Muslim Sports Club by 6 wickets in a quarter-final match of the 71^st Nawab Salar Jung Invitation T20 Cricket Tournament, organised by Islam Gymkhana under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), and played at the Parsee Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive.

Brilliant bowling performances from Khaizar Dafedar (5 for 22) and Varun Joijode (3 for 25) helped Souvenir CC who elected to field, restrict Muslim SC to a modest total of 136 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Opening batsmen Tushar Singh 42 runs and Faiz Rathod 32 runs were the only two batters who managed to get runs on the board.

In reply, Souvenir CC easily chased the target scoring 141 for 4 wickets in 12.4 overs. Akash Parkar made an unbeaten 44 runs, while S. Athawale and Nikhil Patil both contributed 31 runs each to complete the win. Yaseen Shaikh (2 for 32) was the only Muslim SC bowler.

In another match, opening batsman Musheer Ahmed Khan smashed a 56-ball unbeaten 91 runs which powered hosts Islam Gymkhana to a 29 runs victory against Marwari Cricket Club. Islam Gymkhana amassed a massive total of 202 runs for 5 wickets from 20 overs.

Musheer’s solid innings contained 9 shots to the boundary ropes and 3 lofted hits over the fence. He received good support from Sairaj Patil who chipped in with a half century knock of 58 runs (33balls, 4×4, 5×6). Shashank Attarde (3 for 32) got the wickets for Marwari CC.

Marwari CC faced with reaching a stiff target rose to the challenge but were pegged back by some disciplined bowling from Islam Gymkhana bowlers Mohd. Moin Khan (3 for 41), Musheer Ahmed Khan (2 for 13) and Salman Khan (2 for 29) and fell short as they were dismissed for 173 in 19.5 overs. Atharva Ankolekar led the fight back with a fine innings of 91 runs (45balls, 6×4, 7×6) and Siddharth Mhatre scored 26 runs but their efforts went in vain.

Brief scores: Islam Gymkhana 202 for 5 wickets, 20 overs (Musheer Ahmed Khan 91* (56balls, 9×4, 3×6), Sairaj Patil 58 (33balls, 4×4, 5×6; Shashank Attarde 3 for 32) beat Marwari Cricket Club 173 all out, 19.5 overs (Atharva Ankolekar 91 (45balls, 6×4, 7×6), Siddharth Mhatre 26; Mohd. Moin Khan 3 for 41, Musheer Ahmed Khan 2 for 13, Salman Khan 2 for 29). Result: Islam Gymkhana won by 29 runs.

Muslim Sports Club 136 for 9 wickets, 20 overs ( Tushar Singh 45, Faiz Rathod 32; Khaizar Dafedar 5 for 22, Varun Joijode 3 for 25) lost to Souvenir Cricket Club 141 for 4 wickets, 12.4 overs (Akash Parkar 44*, Shujan Athawale 31, Nikhil Patil 31; Yaseen Shaikh 2 for 32). Result: Souvenir CC won by 6 wickets.

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