When AQCC restricted Tigers to 110 in 20 overs, It felt like a good job done by the bowlers. Chasing small totals could be tricky, but AQCC has done it before many a time. This time however they had no idea about the opening spell that will turn the match on its heads. Puneet and Swapnil Chaurasia, the new ball bowling pair ran through top order so rapid that contest was over in 5 overs.
- 1st over: 1/0, 5 dot balls to set things up.
- 2nd: 3/2, Swapnil picking up 2 wickets.
- 3rd: 7/3, Puneet 1 wicket
- 4th: 9/5, Swapnil picking up 2 wickets.
- 5th: 10/8, Puneet picking 3 wickets
When these 2 finished their spell, AQCC scorecard read 15/9 after 8 overs.
Contest that lasted only 21 overs.
What a way to start the season in Japan for Swapnil with a 5 for in the first game. While Swapnil led the wicket tally, Puneet applied further pressure by bowling tight lines and not giving away any easy runs. In 12th over, the match was over. AQCC were rolled out in 38 runs.
As many as 7 Batmen failed to open the account, and two among them had golden duck.
Swapnil Chaurasia spell read 4.0-0-6- 5, and well complimented by Puneet Kumar 4.0-0-8-3
Importance of this game in South kanto fixture
South Kanto is tough division as three teams battle for one spot in National finals. So league games between Tigers, AQCC, and IECC become do or die game. AQCC most of the time had a superior hand winning South Kanto final every year. These two teams have often clashed for the top of the table position in the past.
Tigers setting 110 on board.
When AQCC Captain Srinivas Peddala won the toss, he elected to field. Wombats Ken Dobson and Jano Venter officiated the game and to ensure they have no trouble, Wombats president Evan Hitchman was present to explain the rituals of YCAC ground. In the first over itself, Anuraj Singh went after the bowling of Gurman Mannivan kept his composure and was economical and successful bowler with 3/16 in 4 overs. At no2, and 3 R Shri 3(7) and Nagarajan 6(18) tried to score but could not succeed. After their departure, the team was in trouble at 26/2 when Saborish joined in.
Saborish kept the scoreboard ticking with occasional boundaries. Coming at no 5, Rahul did not last long to aggravate the situation to 49/4 after 10 overs. M Ranjeet and Manoj stayed at the crease to build small partnerships. Saborish in a rare instance gave chance which Venkateshan at deep covers could not hold on. In the later stage of the inning, Ankush with run-a-ball 15 ( 1×4, 1×6) gave a good finish to Tigers inning. Yet again, Saborish led batting unit and he was well supported by the Lower order.
It’s a good sign for the Tigers that they won the game without their reliable spin bowling pair of Piyush and Saborish.
New ground rules at YCAC for cricket is not suitable or senior men’s team and specially for T20 games.
Finally, it was heartening to see the whole AQCC team displaying excellent sportsmanship spirit throughout the game. Even though their batters had a bad day, they are still a CHAMPION team.
CricHQ Match scorecard here
Next games schedule, check here
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