It was the 2nd defeat for MMG in a row, after 4 matches played in the New year Invitational T20 Cricket League, ongoing at the Achimota Oval C.
MMG, having lost their week 5 fixture to Supreme, had all to do in the second innings to clinch their 2nd victory against BGC, who won toss and scored 65 runs for 10 wickets in 15.4 overs in the first innings.
BGC, having defeated Hurricanes earlier, were magical in the second innings, as they served MMG with a taste of their bowling, restricting the latter to 58/10 in 15.1 overs in the week 7 match, played on Sunday, November 6, 2022.
BGC managed to keep their composure from the beginning of the first innings, after losing the first wicket on the 3rd over, when Wasim Ali got caught at deep mid-wicket by Dinesh Bhutola from Anil Nawalekar’s delivery. The next wicket fell on the 8th over, with great restriction from Nitesh Kanjarbhat (4-0-11-2) and Kapil Signh (3.4-0-14-3).
With an unimpressive batting performance from both sides, BGC sacrificed the first wicket on the 1.1 over with an LBW to Anil Nawalekar from Richmond Balaari’s first delivery. Balaari got his second wicket (Vasant Shinde) in the same over to put pressure on MMG, who had to breath a bit but score with caution until the 7th over when Gagan Deep Singh (3.0-0-9-2) demised Dinesh Bhutola in his first over when MMG were at 30/3.
Richmond Balaari was the hero of the day, as BGC won the game by 7 runs. He took 4.0-0-11-4 in the bowling figures after scoring 12(23) in the first innings.
BGC lie 2nd with 4 points, same as leaders of Group A, Defenders but NRR difference while MMG who had shared points due to rain with Karizma in week 1, lie 3rd with 3 points.
In Group B, Don Bruce continues to enjoy the top spot with 6 points but Punjab IPMC moved to the 3rd place with 2 points after their win over Swami Sports Club in the afternoon match.
It was Swami’s first match, and after winning toss, they opted to field first. Punjab scored 103/10 in 16.4 overs. It was a day for ‘all out’, as Swami did theirs in style.
Punjab started well, with 12/0 after the first over. Sandeep Kumar was in cloud 9, scoring 9(5) and finishing 11(11) in the 5th over when Paresh Shiyani’s (3.4-0-15-3) ball got him out, after his partner Aman Arora 15(13), fell in the 4th over from Nirav Pomal’s (4-0-24-4) delivery.
However, Swami Sports Club also couldn’t stand the bowling efficacy of Punjab IPMC as captain, Gurjeet Singh went into the second innings with all in him, taking 3.5-1-8-5. Gurjeet was adjudged player of the Match.
Team mate Gaurav Sharda (4-1-6-3) and Aqeel Israr Syed (4-0-21-2) helped the team win their first game by 34 runs, restricting Swami Sports Club to 69/10 in 15.5 overs.
There is Champions United versus U-19 Team coming up on Sunday, November 13, 2022 in the morning, a Group B match, before Hurricanes meets up with Supreme CC in a Group A encounter.