Pai Khot Fighters beat Mapusa Dream Crushers on a last ball thriller by 4 runs in the Finals to clinch the Desserts n More Sarsangan +45 Veterans Cricket Championship at Arlem Cricket Ground.
Put in to bat first, Pai Khot Fighters put up 148/9 in 20 overs with contributions from Sarvesh Kamat 12, Shiraj Pai Khot 19. Anish Dharwadkar 23, Laxmikant Kurade 13 and Amit Kamat 15, with 4 of the batters dismissed on very close crease line decisions decided by the 3rd umpire’s Decision Review System. It was only their skipper Rasik Pai Khot 32 (31 balls, 2 x 4s) who stood like a rock against the fiery bowling of Mapusa Dream Crushers bowlers, Shailesh Mahajan 3-30, Mahesh Kudchadkar 2-16 and Mahesh Churi 2-26, helping the Pai Khot Fighters put up a decent 148/9 on board.
Mapusa Dream Crushers, in reply, having lost an early wicket, built the innings through Sudin Kamat 31, Abhay Karande 19, Rajesh Colvalcar 11 and Mahesh Kudchadkar 15. Needing 53 off the last 4 overs, Sagar Salgaocar 32 (25 balls, 3 x 4s) and Shailesh Mahajan 16 no (7 balls, 1 x4s, 1 x6s) put up a brave fight to take Mapusa Dream Crushers on the cusp of victory. However with Shailesh Mahajan not able to score 5 runs required off the last ball bowled by Sudesh Prabhudesai, Pai Khot Fighters emerged victorious by 4 runs.
For Pai Khot Fighters, Pratap Prabhugaonkar had dream figures of 3-1-12-1 and received support from Sarvesh Kamat 1-31 and Sudesh Prabhudesai 1-31. Shailesh Mahajan, though finished on the losing side was awarded Desserts n More Man of the Finalsh award for his brilliant all round display.
The prize distribution ceremony was conducted at the hands of Padmashree Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Dr. Satish Kudchakar, Shirish Kamat and Pooja Kunde.
Sarvesh Kamat (152 runs and 4 wickets from 5 matches) was awarded the Sarsangan Player of the Tournament. Sudin Kamat (155 runs in 5 matches) was awarded the Best Batter while Sandesh Kamat Bambolkar ( 5 wickets from 3 matches) collected the Best Bowler award. Rasik Pai Khot (123 runs and 3 wickets in 5 matches) collected the Most Energetic Player award. Mahendra Pai Kuchelkar (8 dismissals from 4 matches) was adjudged the best wicketkeeper while Shailesh Mahajan (6 dismissals from 5 matches) got the best fielder award.
Speaking on the occasion Padmashree Brahmanand Shankhwalkar praised all the players and further appreciated the efforts of Saraswat Sports Sangh to use the medium of Sports to keep fit and camaraderie among the Saraswat community.
Dr. Satish Kudchadkar, himself being an active sportsmen at the age of 78 years congratulated the Saraswat Sports Sangh and the organising committee for the efforts and taking the pains to organise a 6 month long Cricket tournament for the 6th year in a row.
Santosh Kamat welcomed, Gomakant Mahambrey compered and Anil Kamat proposed the vote of thanks.
