It was time to push for glory in the week 5 of the GCA Division 1 League, Qualifier B and MMG did exactly that in a rousing 91 runs victory against Champions United on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
The morning encounter had MMG throwing themselves into the crease to open batting after winning toss. Dinesh Butola and Vasant Shinde were building a great partnership until a run out on Butola but Asad on the 3.2 over.
In an attempt to get a good score by end of the power play, Manish Rathod also risked a run, but was run out by Sandeep Kumar on the 3.3 over, as Shinde’s drive at Mid-off from Rizwan Shakir’s delivery was blocked.
MMG were careful but opened their arms and were 31/2 after the power play. On the 8.6 over, Asad Iqbal’s delivery saw a wonderful catch by Dishu Kumar at deep square leg on Sachin Butola.
Asad, dismissed Vasant Shinde, who seem to be holding things up for MMG. Asad (4.0-0-19-4) was not done, he took two more wickets, after Syed (4.0-0-21-2) came through to dismiss 2 in an over.
With 31 extras, MMG put on the scoreboard, 147/9, while Kanjarbhat Nitesh scored 27(25)
MMG begun to show signs of winning the match from the very beginning, with great restriction on Champions United.
Logan, got some magical deliveries that tormented Champions United. He got his first wicket on Sandeep Kumar, a catch by Dinesh on the 0.2 over. Before the 3 over, Logan dismissed 2 more, Asad and Dishu Kumar, breaking the ribs of Champions United.
There were more brilliant catches, from Sachin Butola (2) and from the delivery of Ram Gaikwad (1.0-0-7-2) in the 7th over, while Champions United stood at 27/5 with 10 extras.
Logan who won Player of the match with total figures 4.0-1-11-4, came back in the 13th over to dismiss Mohammed Firoji, their 8th wicket. He had other plans, as he caught out Deepak Raykangor, who was in search of a boundary through long off, from Swaran’s (3.3-0-13-3) delivery on the 14.3 over to wrap things up.
Logan climbed the bowling chat to 2nd, behind Kofi Bagabena and now has a total of 9 wickets, from 3 innings.
MMG won their first match out of 3 outings and could not hide their joy, as they climb to 5th with 2 points, +0.7 NRR, better than Hurricanes and lesser than GT CC and Alpha CC, who are 3rd and 4th respectively.
Champions United are winless in 3 matches but 7th, leaving Swami Indians at bottom, also with no point.
More exciting matches comes up on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at the Achimota Cricket Oval.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
