Tank’s blistering 116-run knock powers Payyade into Police final

Mumbai, February 21:

Opener Hersh Tank’s blistering century knock of 116 runs powered Payyade Sports Club to a comprehensive six-wicket win against strong contenders Parsee Gymkhana in a semi-final clash of the D.Y. Patil Group sponsored 73^rd Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2020-2021, organized under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), and played at the MCA ground, BKC on Sunday.

In the second semi-final, Cricket Club of India (CCI) defeated fancied Karntak Sporting Association by 77 runs at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive. CCI and Payyade SC will clash in the final next Sunday (February 28).

Payyade after deciding to field first bowled well to restrict Parsee Gymkhana to a modest total of 245 for 6 wickets in 45 overs. Left-arm spinners Musheer Khan (2 for 31) and Dhurmil Matkar (2 for 43) picked up early wickets to rock the Parsee Gymkhana innings. But, middle order bat Vaibhav Kalamkar cracked an unbeaten 97 runs (69 balls, 10×4, 5×6) and Nikhil Patel 37 runs contribution lifted the Parsee Gymkhana innings.

Later, Tank struck form immediately and smashed the rival bowlers to all corners of the park during his 117 minutes innings at the crease. His cameo knock was studded with 11 well-timed hits to the boundary and eight powerful strokes over the ropes. Tank and opening partner Musheer Ahmed Khan (29 runs) put together 71 runs for the first wicket and later Tank along with Sufiyan Shaikh (30 runs) added 88 runs for the third wicket. Tank was ably supported by Prayag Bhati who made unbeaten 48 runs (6×4, 2×6), which saw Payyade cruise to victory. Balwinder Singh Sandhu took 2 wickets for 53.

Meanwhile, Cricket Club of India electing to bat first amassed a challenging total of 281 runs for nine wickets from their quota of 45 overs. Nishad Gabhawala 75 runs and Akash Anand 47 runs top-scored for CCI while Vidyadhar Kamat (2 for 57) and Moondeep Mangela (2 for 66) got the wickets for Karnatak SA.

In reply, Karnatak SA batters failed to raise to the challenge and were bundled out for a paltry 204 runs in 43.1 overs. Shrideep Mangela 48 runs, Karan Vashodia 44 runs and Manan Khakar 43 runs were the only batsmen who managed to get some decent runs of the board. Prathmesh Dake (3 for 50), Alpesh Ramjani (2 for 18) and Vaibhav Mali (2 for 28) were responsible for picking the wickets and to send Karnatak crashing to defeat.

Brief scores (semi-finals): Parsee Gymkhana 245 for 6 wickets, 45 overs (Vaibhav Kalamkar 97* (69b, 10×4, 5×6), Nikhil Patel 37; Musheer Khan 2/31, Dhurmil Matkar 2/43) lost to Payyade Sports Club 247 for 4 wickets, 34.4 overs (Hersh Tank 116 (66b, 11×4, 8×6, Prayag Bhati 48* (6×4, 2×6); Balwinder Singh Sandhu 2/53). 

Result: Payyade Sports Club won by 6 wickets.

Cricket Club of India 281 for 9 wickets, 45 overs (Nishad Gabhawala 75, Akash Anand 47; Vidyadhar Kamat 2/57, Moondeep Mangela 2/66) beat Karnatak Sporting Association 204 all out, 43.1 overs (Shrideep Mangela 48, Karan Vashodia 44, Manan Khakar 43; Prathmesh Dake 3/50, Alpesh Ramjani 2/18, Vaibhav Mali 2/28). 

Result: Cricket Club of India won by 77 runs.

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