Desserts N More Avengers registered a nine-run win over K.K. Strikers in a league match of the GSB Unity Cup 3.0 cricket tournament played at the MCC ground in Margao.
Batting first, the Avengers posted 188 for 7 in their 20 overs. Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar anchored the innings with an unbeaten 45, providing momentum in the final overs. Venktesh Verlekar scored 34 off 22 balls while captain Kaushal Hattangadi added 24 off 15 deliveries to strengthen the total.
For K.K. Strikers, Ramnath Prabhu Bam, Nikit Naik Dalal, Aditya Dalal, Vidhi Bhandare and Rasik Pai Khot picked up one wicket each.
Chasing 189 for victory, the Strikers mounted a strong challenge. Viraj Puranik struck 50 from 30 balls while Ramnath Prabhu Bam made 25 off 14 deliveries. Aditya Dalal contributed 28 runs as the side attempted to keep pace with the required run rate.
However, the Avengers bowlers held their nerve in the closing overs and restricted K.K. Strikers to 179 for 6 in 20 overs to secure the win.
Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar, Vipul Deshprabhu, Swapnil Kakodkar and Vikram Gaitonde took one wicket each for the Avengers.
With the league stage completed, CD Fountainhead and Dempo Challengers finished in the top two positions with eight points each to qualify directly for the semifinals.
Desserts N More Avengers (NRR 0.491), K.K. Strikers (NRR 0.326), Priority Titans (NRR 0.030) and Sinq Rangers (NRR -0.117) all ended with six points, but superior net run rate saw the Avengers and Strikers advance to the semifinals.
The semifinals are scheduled for March 14, with K.K. Strikers facing CD Fountainhead in the morning session, followed by Dempo Challengers taking on Desserts N More Avengers.
Scoreboard
Desserts N More Avengers – 188/7 (20 overs)
Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar 45*, Venktesh Verlekar 34, Kaushal Hattangadi 24; Extras 18
Ramnath Prabhu Bam 1/28, Nikit Naik Dalal 1/10, Aditya Dalal 1/30, Vidhi Bhandare 1/11, Rasik Pai Khot 1/26
K.K. Strikers – 179/6 (20 overs)
Viraj Puranik 50, Aditya Dalal 28, Ramnath Prabhu Bam 25, Amod Talaulikar 24; Extras 16
Vikram Gaitonde 1/41, Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar 1/26, Vipul Deshprabhu 1/25, Swapnil Kakodkar 1/16
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