After two emphatic victories in the earlier games nine-time champions The Hitavada showed the grit required in a tight match to carve out a five-wicket win with an over to spare over Punyanagari in the last Group ‘A’ league encounter of the Orange City Hospital Cup 13th Inter-Press Cricket T20 Cricket Tournament.
Tarun Bharat too made to the Super 6 from the group with a crushing 10-wicket win over Loksatta.
At Vasantnagar ground, Punyanagari started off aggressively to score some quick runs. Ravi Daff was in the punishing mood slamming five fours and three big sixes for his 46-ball 59. Pankaj Pande (24; 16b, 4x4) too chipped in usefully. They were helped by a few dropped catches by The Hitavada fielders.
Just when they were looking for a huge score last match’s hero Rammurti Nerlay took important wickets to restrict them at 151 for 9 in 20 overs. The Hitavada fielders too stepped up the pressure with some fine work in the outfield. Salim Sheikh and Pawan Sawade were very good with the ground fielding. Off-spinner Sudhir Delikar and Sheikh picked two wickets each.
Man of the Match Anupam Timothy (57; 49b, 9x4, 1x6) started positively with Kamlesh Waghire to put 42 for the first wicket in just 21 balls. However, wickets of Waghire and Praveen Lokhande (22) made the run-chase a bit difficult. Nikhil Dixit (23; 23b, 3x4) then took over with Timothy but it was left to skipper Susheem Kolay (16*; 7b, 3x4) to calm the nerves of the defending champions. The Hitavada won on the last ball of the penultimate over with five wickets in hand.
In the other match, Tarun Bharat seamer Vijay Choure wrecked Loksatta with a brilliant spell where he took 6 for 21 in 4 overs. Loksatta were bundled out for a mere 46 in 9 overs which Tarun Bharat knocked off in just 3.5 overs without loss. Abhishekh Kulkarni (19) and Roshan Tamboli (8) remained unbeaten.
Earlier, the teams were introduced to the day’s guest Dr Babanrao Taywade, Principal, Dhanwate National College.
Sunday's matches: Sakal vs Lokmat at Ambedkar ground, Dainik Bhaskar vs Lokshahi Varta at Vasantnagar. Both matches will start at 9 am.
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