MARGAO: In a pulsating final, Union Gymkhana, Belgaum, beat Just Cricket Academy, Bangalore, by 5 runs in a nail biting finish to clinch the 2nd Exposure Trophy U-13 cricket tournament organised by the Margao Cricket Academy (MCA), at the SAG ground, Fatorda, recently.
Electing to field, Just Cricket Academy had the upper hand during most of the match but faltered at the finish. They restricted their opponents Union Gymkhana to 116 runs all out in 20 overs. Man-of-the-match Muhammad Abbas (30) was the top scorer as the Union Gymkhana batsmen struggled against the accurate bowling. Shourya Sagar (3 for 22) and Sohum Joshi (2 for 15) were the pick of the bowlers.
Till man-of-the-tournament Aayat Khan, who scored 234 runs in the tournament, was at the crease, Just Cricket Academy was comfortably pacing towards victory. A superb catch by Tejas off Abbas changed the complexion of the game and put Just Cricket Academy on the backfoot. But Hemanth C (38) had other ideas and with Pranav Krishnan (20) stitched a 40-run partnership and from 94 for 3 with the dismissal of Pranav, Just Cricket Academy slumped to 110 runs for 9 wickets and eventually all out for 110 in 19.4 overs. Abbas claimed 3 wickets in one over and turned the game around.
Retired PE teacher of Bhatikar Model School Shivling Chowgule was the chief guest and awarded the prizes in the presence of Bhai Naik, patron of MCA; Amey Kossambe, Vice- President of MCA and Digesh Angle, Treasurer. Hemant Angle compered.
Brief score: Union Gymkhana 116 for 10 in 20 overs (Abbas 30, Shourya Sagar 3/22, Sohum Joshi (2/15). Just Cricket Academy 110 for 10 in 19.4 overs (Hemanth C 38, Pranav Krishnan 20, Abbas 4/11, Nikhil Rathod 3/16).
