The Hill Top School Astro Turf ground in Kumasi, was not just filled with shouts for ‘catch it’ and cheers, as teams hit boundary 4’s and sixes on Sunday and Monday, March 30 & 31, but it was also for the pride, passion, bragging rights, the trophy and cash prize of GH₵10,000 at stake.
The 5-over modified cricket which saw 2 groups of 5, had the likes of Rajasthan Tigers, Jay Ambe and Tamil Pasanga qualifying to the Quarter Finals from Group A, after a single round robin in that order. Fighter Squad and Mumbaikar Smashers unfortunately missed out.
In Group B, Mosam Masters, Knight Rider and Telugu Warriors made it to the quarter-finals, leaving Trimax Titans and Punjab Lions. At least, every team lost a match, while both Mumbaikar Smashers and Punjab Lions lost all matches.
Rajasthan Tigers, with captain Kapil Jangir Kaka were knocked out by Telugu Warriors, with a painful 4 wickets victory after 47/1 and 48/3 in 4.3 overs results. Jay Ambe, also saw off Knight Rider by 19 runs. Jay Ambe scored 53/4 and restricted the Riders to 34/6.
With sponsorships from ETG, Kepas, Orbit Cargo Management, Qualiplast Ghana limited, Duron Paints, Mosam Bar and Restaurant, JK paper, SMJ KITCHEN & SUPERMARKET, Jai Ambe, and Mavtar Enterprises, the thrilling U-15 curtain raiser match on Sunday, saw Kumasi Kings lifting the giant trophy and gold medals after their win against Kumasi Mavericks, who settled for silver medals, plus a trophy.
Booking the 3rd semi-final berth was Mosam Masters, who posted a 16-runs victory over Tamil Pasanga, limiting the latter to 24/6 after they scored 40/5.
In an entertaining atmosphere, charged together with great sounds from DJ Jack, Mosam Masters beat Jay Ambe in the first semis by 6 runs. The nail-biting encounter saw Mosam Master score 48/2, while Jay Ambe managed 42/2 in the second innings.
Jay Ambe, led by P.K got another opportunity to book a final berth, exerting all their already sapped energy on Telugu Warriors with a 43 runs victory. Jay Ambe scored 53/3 and limited Telegu Warriors to 10/5.
The final, a revenge encounter however saw Jay Ambe chase a 46/2 score by Mosam Masters and until the last ball, scored 1 run to tie it with 46/6, while they needed 2 to win.
In the Super Over, Jay Ambe scored first and lost 2 wickets for just 4 runs from 5 deliveries of Ajith. The cheers from the fans of Mosam Masters went wild, knowing they can achieve 5 runs from 6 balls. But as Cricket may have it, Mosam at 3 runs for 1 wicket, requiring a boundary 2, suffered another Catch to end the game at long-off from Vishal’s delivery.
While player of the match awards for each of the 26 matches were presented, Best Batter went to Bholu Patel of Jay Ambe, who scored 134 runs from 8 matches, while Dipen Patel grabbed the Best Fielder Award with 7 dismissals and 6 catches.
Ajith of Mosam Masters picked a double and a cash prize, after being adjudged the Best Bowler with 11 wickets and the Most Valuable Player with 24.33 points.
Runners-up Mosam Masters picked silver medals, a trophy and GH₵6,000.00 cash prize, while 3rd place Telegu Warriors were presented with GH₵4,000.00 cash prize, bronze medals and a trophy.
Cricket in Kumasi is becoming more regular than in the past, as the organizers have more, coming up this year and next year.
Cricket in Ghana will surely bounce back to its glory days, if structures are put in proper place and with the support of the Indian Community.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
