MARGAO: Salcete Young Stallions beat Pai Khot Fighters convincingly by 22 runs in the finals to clinch the Desserts n More Sarsangan U-25 Boys Cricket Championship at the Arlem cricket ground.
Electing to bat first and losing Smit Dalvi for 4 off the very 2nd ball of the innings, Salcete Young Stallions put up an imposing 186/6 in 20 overs, built on a 116 run partnership in 77 balls for the 2nd wicket between Neel Netravalkar 52 (44 balls) and Pratham Kossambe 55 (37 balls). The Stallions score was boosted with handy contributions from skipper Saish Hegde (20), Gaurav Gaitonde (13) and Paarth Kossambe (14 n.o.). For Pai Khot Fighters, Sahil Neurenkar was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-0-21-2 and was supported by Shridhar Keni and Arsh Sardesai picking a wicket apiece.
Chasing 187 to win, Pai Khot Fighters having lost 2 wickets with just 22 on board, were rescued by Pranav Kamat 50 (30 balls) and Arsh Sardesai 51 (34 balls) who put on 58 runs in 35 balls for the 3rd wicket. Needing 107 off 65 balls was an uphill task, but Sahil Neurenkar 20 (11 balls), Shridhar Keni 12 (12 balls) and Jairam Agni 11* (12 balls) tried their best to take the fight into the final overs. However a fine spell of fast bowling by 12-year-old Pratham Prabhugaonkar dashed the hopes of the Pai Khot Fighters helping the Stallions win by 22 runs.
For Stallions, Pratham Prabhugaonkar was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-0-16-3 and received support from Anurag Borker 1-20 and Prabhakar Shetye 1-32. Neel Netravalkar was awarded the man-of-the-finals award
Ex-director of Sports V M Prabhudesai was the chief guest of the prize distribution ceremony and gave away the prizes in the presence of President of Goa Saraswat Samaj Jagannath alias Desh Prabhudesai, Madhav Talak, Vitthaldas Bhat, Siddesh Kharangate and TJSB Bank AGM Arun Bhat.
Pranav Kamat (164 runs and 4 wickets from 5 matches) was awarded the Sarsangan player-of-the-tournament. Pratham Kossambe (180 runs in 5 matches) was awarded the best batter while Arsh Sardesai (7 wickets from 4 matches) collected the best bowler award. Ayan Amod Borkar and Pratham Prabhugaonkar jointly collected the most energetic players award. Sanat Prabhudesai (4 dismissals from 4 matches) was adjudged the best wicketkeeper while Mehank Dharwadkar (3 dismissals from 3 matches) got the best fielder award.
Santosh Kamat and Sanjiv Prabhu welcomed, Gomakant Mahambrey compered and Anil Kamat proposed a vote of thanks.
