Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Margao Cricket Club sealed a place in the semifinals of the Goa Premier Division League T20 tournament with a thrilling four wicket win over Dempo Cricket Club, while Geno Sports Club produced a dominant all round display to defeat Panjim Gymkhana by 53 runs on Tuesday.
In the morning match played at the GCA ground in Sanguem-Cotarlim, Geno Sports Club took control from the beginning after electing to bat first. Openers Rajat Shet and Veer Yadav provided a strong start with an attacking partnership. Rajat struck 39 runs from 30 balls with three boundaries and two sixes, while Veer contributed 36 off 26 deliveries.
Nihal Surlkar added valuable runs in the middle order with a quick 27 off 18 balls as Geno posted a competitive total of 164. For Panjim Gymkhana, Suyash Prabhudesai claimed three wickets, while Abhinav and Amit Yadav picked up two wickets each.
Panjim Gymkhana struggled throughout the chase after losing early wickets. Shivam Singh top scored with 22 runs, but the batting lineup failed to build partnerships. Geno bowlers dominated proceedings, with Shiven Borkar delivering an outstanding spell of 3 for 9 in three overs. Nihal Surlkar also impressed with the ball, taking two wickets for just four runs. Panjim Gymkhana were eventually bowled out for 111 in 17.3 overs, ending their campaign in the tournament.
The afternoon encounter between Margao Cricket Club and Dempo Cricket Club turned into a high scoring thriller. Batting first, Dempo posted 189 for 7 in 20 overs thanks to a blistering innings from Abhinav Tejrana, who hammered 67 off 33 balls with six sixes and three fours. Captain Snehal Kauthankar added a composed 41, while Prathamesh Salunke chipped in with 27 runs.
In reply, MCC found a match winner in Aryan Narvekar, who played a sensational knock of 86 from just 41 balls, smashing nine sixes. Deepraj Gaonkar and Chigurupati Venkata provided crucial support as MCC chased down the target in 19.5 overs. Despite Samit Mishra’s three wicket haul, Dempo could not stop MCC from registering their second consecutive victory and booking a semifinal berth.
