Mangalore: T20 - Karnataka Indians Score Remarkable Victory Over Zimbabwe
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Apr 29: The first-ever international T20 cricket match held in the city at NMPT ground on Sunday April 29 was a total entertainer, with Karnataka Indians putting up a remarkable performance to secure a surprise win over the visiting Zimbabwe team.
The hosts defeated the international team by 38 runs to win the 'Heath Streak-Corporation Bank-Mohtisham T20 International Cricket Cup 2012', a match that that saw some nail-biting moments throughout. Stunning shots all over the ground by batsmen of both the teams sent the crowd into raptures, while regular fall of wickets ensured that the day had a pulsating finish.
After three hours of thrilling action-packed cricket, it was the Western Institute Karnataka Indians who came up triumphs with a scintillating and brave display of skills. The visiting team, which comprised veteran international players like captail Heath Streak, Grant Flower, Alistair Campbell, Mpumelelo Mbangwa and others, had to taste defeat in front of a huge crowd.
Earlier, Karnataka Indians won the toss and elected to bat, which turned out to be the right decision. Openers Mohammed Naushad and Rahul Kotian set the ball rolling. Man-of-the-match Naushad scored a brilliant 72 (four 4s), before losing his wicket to Mbangwa.
It was then left to the other batsmen to capitalize on the start the openers had given them, and they did not disappoint. Gurudeep Madhyasta, the wicket-keeper batsman, contributed with a valuable half-century and the rest chipped in. The hosts managed to put up a formidable score of 193 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.
In reply, the Zimbabwe team had a poor start, losing two quick wickets in the first three overs for 9 runs. Both were scalped by pace bowler Sampath. Next in, Charles Coventry, too was sent back to the pavilion by Sampath when the score was on 17. At the end of five overs, they were at 25 runs for the loss of three wickets.
But just when it looked like the visitors were steadying their innings, Suhail had Elton Chigumbara walking back.
It was then left to Heath Streak to play a captain's innings, which he did, but could not succeed in saving the day. He went on to make a magnificent 59, which included four massive sixes and five fours, along with Douglass Marillier who scored an entertaining 28 with four shots to the boundary rope. The two seemed set to coast towards victory, with a partnership of 87 off 60 balls, but that was not to be as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals, before and after they departed.
The pick of the bowlers in the Karnataka Indians was Sampath Kumar, who claimed 5 wickets conceding 22 runs in 4 overs. Sumeet took two wickets and Jayaprakash and Vinay G K one each. Together, they gave away 25 extras (12 wides, 7 leg byes, 5 byes and 1 no-ball).
In the end, it was the hosts who kept their nerve and showcased their brilliant all-round performance on the field. Whether with the ball or the bat, the youngsters proved that they have the calibre to challenge the best in the game.
While Naushad's decisive 72 fetched him the man of the match award, Douglass Marillier was adjudged the most spectacular cricketer. Best batsman award went to Gurudeep Madhyasta for his 50, and Chigumbara was rewarded for his superb fielding.
The prize for the highest number of sixes went to Heath Streak, while that for the highest number of boundaries was bagged by Naushad. Needless to say, Sampath was the best bowler of the match.
Teams:
Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (c), Grant Flower, Alistair Campbell, Raymond Price, Brendon Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, Terry Duffin, Douglas Marillier, Charles Coventry, Mpumelelo Mbangwa and Dirk Viljoen.
Karnataka Indians: Janardhan (c), Divesh, Naushad, Gurudeep Madhyasta (wk), Jayaprakash, Vinay G K, Sumeet, Sampath Kumar, Suhail, Sachin, Semitha.
Umpires: Sujith and Harigovind
Score: Karnataka Indians - 193 for 6 in 20 overs
Zimbabwe - 155 for 9 in 20 overs
Earlier in the day, the match was inaugurated by Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes in the presence of his wife Blossom, MLAs U T Khader and Abhaychandra Jain, Property Infra Tech proprietor Rohan Monteiro, Western Institute MD Stephen Mendes and Heath Streak Foundation head Joseph Rego.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines, Heath Streak said that Mangalore has good supporters for the game of cricket, but that there is dire need for a full-fledged stadium. On his stay in the city, he said he particulary enjoyed eating chicken.
Daijiworld was the official web partner of the event.