This was the third and final clash of the super six stage, the winners assured of a place in the semi's. The rock hard wicket and a lush green outfield (guys diving full length for a simple pick up n throw :), Iqbal won the toss for AM Champs (3rd time in a row) and had no hesitation in deciding to bowl first. Nithin and Pramit provided Bright Stars with a steady start, Nithin playing some fantastic cut shots. However, Fareez and Kunal kept the batsmen in check with good line and length bowling. Fareez then got the initial break-through of Nithin with a magnificent catch by Iqbal at backward point for 17 runs. Samit, last years player of the tournament stepped in with his huge reputation looming large on the bowlers. He was just getting into his stride and hitting the ball well, when Kunal bowled a beauty of an over..a maiden, 4 balls on the trott..missing Samit's outside edge. In the next over itself, Yashwin got the bowl to swing away and Samit was caught behind for 19 runs. A tired Pramit also fell shortly scoring 12 runs. The Champs squeezed the Bright Stars not allowing them to get away and at the drinks interval..10 over break the Bright Stars were 65/3. It was then time for the spinners to take over..
the terrific duo of Himanshu and Gaganpal (aka..Ghajji) to bowl 8 overs for next to nothing picking up couple of wickets each and keeping the pressure on.
Kedar and Suresh at the lower order gave the Bright Stars a ray of hope with 21 and 22 runs respectively towards the end. The fielding was at its best..Iqbal, Fareez pulling up some spritely dives in the field to save valuable runs. The Bright Stars ended up with a meager but fighting total of 126.
Yaswhin picked 3 wkts, while spin twins Himanshu and Gaganpal bagged up a brace.
AM Champs had to just play out their quota of overs and a semi final birth was beckoning. Fareez and Himanshu opened the batting for the Champs, Fareez after hitting a beautiful cover drive off the 1st ball got LBW in the 1st over itself to Chirag. The stage was set for Kunal to play a rip roaring innings and thats exactly what was to happen.
Kunal and Himanshu were stroking the ball sweetly before Himanshu got bowled by Nithin for 18 runs.
Yashwin stepped in to give Kunal company scoring 17 runs, but a couple of quick wickets and the Champs were 4 down, needing to score at 7 an over in the last 6 overs. Brendan then came in and along with Kunal sealed the game for the Champs. Kunal kept playing a Sachin(esque) innings scoring 61 runs with beautiful shots all over the ground. All was not finished for the Bright Stars...the Champs with a slight wobble towards the end with 2 runs to win, couple of quick caught & bowleds by Samit who was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets. With 2 to win off 8 deliveries, Hakim struck the winning runs with a boundary and AM Champs were the happy chappies who make it to the Semi Finals.
Final Score: Bright Stars - 126/8 in 20 overs
AM Champs - 129/6 in 18.5 overs
Result - AM Champs win by 4 wickets.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
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