Risers set up ACL T20 final with United Brothers

Goa Khabar: Risers will meet United Brothers in the final of the fifth edition of the Advocates Cricket League, organised by Iftikhar Agha and his team, as they stunned holders and three-time champions Lawyer’s Challengers by seven wickets in the virtual semifinal at GCA ground in Porvorim on Saturday.

New entrants United Brothers had already sealed their place in the final after registering back-to-back wins against Hurricanes and Mapusa Vintage.

In a virtual semifinal on Saturday, defending champions Lawyer’s Challengers won the toss and elected to bat first with an aim to put a big score on the board. However, much to their disappointment they lost their opening batter and captain Dattaprasad Shirodkar without scoring, with team’s score reading 10/1. Much was expected from their last match centurion Sachin Sardessai, but he too departed after making just seven runs. Despite the early setbacks, the remaining batters of Lawyer’s Challengers batted with utmost responsibility, mixing caution with aggression to help the team reach a respectable total of 151 for 9 in allotted 20 overs.

Iftikhar Agha top-scored with 24, while most of their other batters contributed with a double digit figure.

Pritesh Shetty and Abhinav Marathe were the most successful bowlers for Risers taking three wickets each, while Kashinath Posnaik and Suraj Shitole took one wicket each.

In reply to Lawyer’s Challengers’ 152-run target, Risers started on a dismal note as they too suffered early setback in the form of Anoop Kudtarkar — their last match hero and perhaps the first centurion in ACL T20 history — who departed scoring a 2-ball duck and leaving the team at 1-1.

However, next batter Akash Kassar and opening batter Sachin Khot played sensibly to bring the team closer to the target. The duo added 78 runs for the second wicket before Sachin Khot took the long walk to the pavilion after making a patient 38-ball 35. Akash Kassar then in the company of Shubhan Gadekar (19) stitched a vital 38-run partnership before the latter dismissed in the 16th over.

Abhinav Marathe then joined his senior partner Kassar and the duo made sure that there was no more hiccups in their run-chase and overhauled the target in just 18.2 overs.

Akash Kassar scored an unbeaten 64 off just 41 balls that included 8 fours and 1 six, while Abhinav Marathe remained not out on 19.

Dattaprasad Shirodkar, Achit Shigwan and Harsh Parekh took one wicket each.

Abhinav Marathe of Risers was adjudged the man of the match.

Earlier in an inconsequential match, Hurricanes registered a comprehensive 8-wicket victory over Mapusa Vintage.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Mapusa Vintage rode on their skipper Sandeep Dmello’s fine knock of 73 runs to post 146/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Shailesh Redkar helped the scoring with a patient 40-ball 43.

Shailesh Parab was the pick of the bowlers for Hurricanes taking 2 for 19.

Skipper Vitthalraj Sangodkar started Hurricanes’ reply in style as he, along with his opening partner Pravin Gauns (34), put on 75 runs for the first wicket in just 8.3 overs. The next batter Devanand Korgaonkar fell cheaply for 5, but that did not deter Vitthalraj’s big hitting as he continued to attack the bowlers of Mapusa Vintage. Hurricanes finally overhauled Mapusa Vintage’s 147-run target in 14.2 overs as they finished at 150/2. Vitthalraj played captain’s innings of unbeaten 91 off just 39 balls that had 6 hits to the fence and 9 massive hits over it.

Mapusa Vintage’s Shailesh Redkar took both the wickets that fell in Hurricanes’ innings.

Vitthalraj Sangodkar was named the man of the match for his match-winning knock of unbeaten 91.