When MMG thought they had all under control in their week 7 encounter against Swami Indians, the latter proved ‘Cricket is won in any way possible’.
The Sunday, January 19, 2025 afternoon match kept both fans of MMG and Swami Indians standing on tentacles, as the dying embers of the game became uncertain and certain at the same time for both Cricket Clubs in Qualifier B.
A smooth first innings for MMG, saw the owners of the innings and toss winners, Swami Indians, struggling to make it count.
From 7 runs in the first over, Swami did not finish the power play well, but kept their wickets until the 8th over, when Manish dismissed Manuj 27(22) via LBW. MMG then knew, the yoke was broken.
Nirav Pomal fell on the 9.4 over through the delivery of Dinesh Butola, and by the 10th over, Swami were at 43/3 as Dinesh got his second; a stumped on Tirthank Shetty. The next 10 overs saw Swami wrapping up with a score of 83 runs, losing 5 more wickets (83/8)
Now came the nervy moments for MMG, who many had thought could wrap things up, chasing the 84 runs target in 10 overs.
It is said, that ‘He who is down, fears no fall’. Here is a Swami Indians team that is yet to win a match and bottom of Group B with no point, but tormenting a formidable MMG side in the second innings, as they chase 84 runs, from 120 balls, not forgetting extras.
While Swami could blame themselves for not grabbing the victory, having dropped 4 catches, they sure gave MMG, a game to never forget.
Navin Rabadiya was hailed for his great catch on Vasant Shinde at deep cover, from the delivery of Sahil Jamwal on the 2.2 over.
At 6 overs, MMG were 40/3 and needed 44 runs, from 84 balls. Swami however did not give up, as they got 4 more wickets at the end of 10 overs, with MMG at 54/7.
30 runs to win from 60 balls and it was yet risky for MMG, as the likes of Manuj and Manoj were tormenting with their deliveries. After several continuous drop catches, Anand Bhudiya made no mistakes to get out MMG’s 9th wicket, Manish Rathod at deep extra cover. It gave Navin his first wicket on the 13.2 over.
Logan, who had wished he never mounted the crease to get victory for his side, had to go partner Swaran 35 and score 12 runs, from 40 balls. Logan reduced the target to 8 runs, from 39 balls, with a boundary 4.
However, that was not enough, as Nirav Pomal gave away just 2 runs in the 15th over, a run and a wide. 6 runs to win for MMG and a search for just a wicket to snatch victory for Swami Indians.
Sahil Jamwal gave away 4 more runs in the 16th over, while Swami appealed for an LBW on Swaran, but did not get. 3 runs to win and still a wicket search for Swami.
MMG achieved the 84 runs in 16.2 overs, to win the game by 1 wicket, while Denish Butola won the Player of the Match Accolade with 2.0-0-11-3. He however gave away no extras in his 2 overs and achieved an economy rate of 5.50.
MMG thus record their second win and remained 5th on the table with 4 points after 4 matches. They leave Swami bottom with still no point after 4 matches.
The top 4 race is still on, as more exciting fixtures, comes up on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey