Team Herald
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MARGAO: Priority Titans booked their place in the final after overcoming stiff resistance from Commonwealth Fountainheads in a thrilling second semi-final clash at Arlem Cricket ground.
Electing to bat first on a batting-friendly pitch, Priority Titans were rocked early by a fiery opening spell from Ameya Prabhudessai, who dismissed Sudin Kamat (6) and Granthik Buyao (2). Aditya Prabhugaonkar then rattled the stumps of Sahish Mahambrey (19), leaving the Titans struggling at 35-3 in the fifth over.
A crucial 54-run partnership off just 32 balls between Deval Karmali (28 off 19 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) and Samar Dubhashi (38 off 21 balls, 5 fours) steadied the innings, taking the Titans to 89-4 at the halfway mark. At this stage, the match was evenly poised. However, what followed was sheer dominance from the Titans’ middle-order batsmen, who launched a brutal assault on the Fountainheads’ bowlers, amassing an additional 139 runs – 65 of them coming in the final three overs.
Explosive stroke play from Amith Kamat (15), Animesh Prabhugaonkar (35), Akshay Dalvi (20), Rauji Kakodkar (31*), and Sunil Salgaonkar (22*) completely dismantled the opposition bowling attack. The Titans finished with a formidable 228-6 in their 20 overs – the highest total of the tournament.
Ameya Prabhudessai was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2-27, while Aditya Prabhugaonkar, Pratap Prabhugaonkar, Saish Hegde, and Amod Borkar chipped in with a wicket each.
In response, Commonwealth Fountainheads suffered an early blow when Gaurish Shenvi Lotlikar (9) was run out in a mix-up. However, Amod Borkar (21), Aamod Talaulikar (37), and Aditya Prabhugaonkar (26) counter-attacked, steering their side to 89-2 at the 10-over drinks break – mirroring the Titans’ halfway score.
Momentum swung back and forth as Laxmikant Kurade (18), Amey Rajadhyax (29), and Yash Prabhugaonkar (26) kept the chase alive with aggressive batting. At 172-6 in the 16th over, the Fountainheads required 57 runs from the final 25 balls.
Prabhakar Shetye (11) and Kedar Kamat (13*) fought hard, bringing the equation down to 27 runs needed off the last two overs. However, a brilliant penultimate over from Rauji Kakodkar turned the tide, as he claimed two crucial wickets while conceding just four runs. The Fountainheads were eventually bowled out for 206, handing the Titans a hard-fought 22-run victory and a place in the final.
The final between Desserts n More Avengers and Priority Titans is set to take place at Arlem Cricket ground on March 9, at 1 pm.
