Cricket Mantras and SM18 Cricket Academy registered fairly comfortable victories in the Winter Challenger Cup in Lucknow.
In a thrilling encounter, Cricket Mantras chased down a daunting target of 226 set by PPCA Mangalwedha in just 18.1 overs, winning by seven wickets in a high-scoring game in Lucknow.
Raviraj Patil led the charge with a scintillating 111, ably supported by D. Khamkar's explosive 79 off 45 balls, studded with 10 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 175.
Patil's knock came off 53 balls with 15 fours and four sixes and a strike rate of 209.
On the bowling front, F. Mulla impressed for Cricket Mantras, taking two wickets for 29 runs in his 4-over spell with an economy of 7.25. Despite the loss, PPCA Mangalwedha's G Gaikwad showcased remarkable resilience, smashing an unbeaten 111 off 69 balls with 11 fours and 7 sixes at a strike rate of 160.
In the second match, riding on Farahan Naikwade's all-round performance, SM18 Cricket Academy defeated Sagar Auti Cricket Academy by 13 runs.
Naikwade had smashed 82 off 46 balls with 14 fours and a six with a strike rate of 178 and bowled a great spell of 3/25 in 3.1 overs.
In an action-packed match, SM18 Cricket Academy secured a thrilling victory, defending their total of 212/8 by bowling out Sagar Auti Cricket Cricket for 199 in 17.1 overs.
A Wani delivered an all-round performance, contributing a vital 43 runs off 30 balls with 6 fours and a six at a strike rate of 143, and later claiming 3 wickets despite being slightly expensive, conceding 45 runs in his 4 overs. S Bargaje also played a key role with a quickfire 40 off 25 balls, smashing 6 fours at a strike rate of 160.
On the bowling front, F Naikwade shone with figures of 3/25 in 3.1 overs, maintaining an economy of 7.89, as SM18 Cricket Academy held their nerve to clinch a well-fought win.
Mumbai Upanagar win in kabaddi
In the 51st Kumar & Kumari Gut Rajya Ajinkyapad Nivad Chachni Kabaddi Spardha, Mumbai Upanagar (East) beat Ratnagiri 34-24 with Aman Tomar starring in the victory in Sangli.
The tournament is being organised by Maharashtra Kabaddi Association.
The matches are being livestreamed by SportVot in association with The Free Press Journal.
