FORMER RANJI Trophy player Farhan Ansari, continuing his fine form in the Rakesh Soni Memorial Masters Cup Cricket Tournament, stroked a blistering 60, the highest for his team Saifia Club, and led the team into the final. Saifia Club defeated RCC at Bab-e-Aali Stadium in the first semifinal played today. Abid Ali of Saifia Club claimed four wickets to grab the Man of the Match trophy.
RCC skipper Shailesh Shukla surprising invited Saifia Club to bat first after winning the toss. Capitalising upon the opportunity, Farhan Ansari through his quick-fire innings entertained the spectators. He 60 came off just 44 deliveries. He was Man of the Match in the quarterfinal played against Hamidia Academy.
Abdul Aqueel provided excellent support to Ansari by scoring his first half-century. Another former Ranji player Idris Ahmed contributed 44 runs. With the help of three good knocks, Saifia Club scored a huge 245 runs (all out) in 30 overs.
For RCC skipper Shailesh Shukla was the most impressive bowler. He claimed three wickets conceding 30 runs. His missed his first hat-trick also. Sameer Mirikar and Jyoti Prakash claimed three and two wickets respectively.
Chasing a mammoth total, RCC failed to score runs at the asking rate. Except former Ranji player Mahendra Satokar and Jyoti Prakash, the other batsmen failed to get going. Satokar and Prakash scored 40 and 30 respectively.
{{/usCountry}}Chasing a mammoth total, RCC failed to score runs at the asking rate. Except former Ranji player Mahendra Satokar and Jyoti Prakash, the other batsmen failed to get going. Satokar and Prakash scored 40 and 30 respectively.
{{/usCountry}}For Saifia Club, Abid Ali, with four wickets’ haul, was the most successful bowler. He was declared Man of the Match. Director Raj Talkies Azizuddin presented the Man of the Match trophy to Abid Ali.
Match on Tuesday:
Bhopal Seniors vs Professors XI.