PANJIM; While the Alcon MCC and Manas Panjim Gymkhana match is delicately poised in the GCA’s Goa Premier League, Salgaocar Cricket Club posted a challenging first-innings score against Chowgule Sports Club on the second day today.
Chowgule, who reached 216/3 at stumps on Day 2 after Salgaocar were all out for 450, require an outright victory to stay alive in the competition at Sanguem ground. As such, the probability of that result is almost non-existent and thus Salgaocar will most certainly finish second in Group A behind Dempo Cricket Club and move into the semi-finals.
In Group B, Alcon MCC could finish at the top although Manas Panjim Gymkhana have a chance to win and turn the tables on their rivals on the last day where they require 171 runs with only five wickets in hand at Porvorim.
Meanwhile the highlight in the Salgaocar vs Chowgule Match was a fantastic century by Kashyap Bakhle (110 not out). He first combined with opener Veer Yadav (55) to put on 121 runs for the third wicket.
Kashyap then found an able partner in captain Samar Dubhashi (40 not out) as their unfinished fourth-wicket partnership of 86, took Chowgule to a respectable position where they can at least aim to overhaul Salgaocar’s huge score of 450 for first-innings lead, as a consolation result on the final day. Earlier, Salgaocar captain Deepraj Gaonkar’s entertaining inning ended after an addition of 50 runs to his overnight score of 102.
In the other match, the ball continues to dominate the bat. While it was 18 wickets going down on the first day, 17 wickets were lost on Day 2. Alcon MCC, who have taken a first innings lead of 18 runs against Manas Panjim Gymkhana, hold the upper hand after putting up a better batting display in the second innings where they scored 236 runs.
Chasing a victory target of 255, Manas Panjim Gymkhana were reduced to 84/5 at the end of second day’s play. Rajshekhar Harikant (11 not out) and Heramb Parab (10 not out) will take Manas Panjim Gymkhana into the final day where if they dig deep, they can achieve a memorable result.
