Shakti Prasad excels

MUMBAI, Oct 14: A superb spell of left-arm spin bowling by lanky Shakti Prasad helped Vijay Merchant XI take a slender first innings lead...

MUMBAI, Oct 14: A superb spell of left-arm spin bowling by lanky Shakti Prasad helped Vijay Merchant XI take a slender first innings lead of 25 runs over Khandu Rangnekar XI on the penultimate day of the Sportstar Trophy MCA under-19 selection cricket tournament at the Brabourne Stadium, today.

Prasad, who is playing in the Sportstar Trophy for the first time, picked up six Rangnekar XI wickets for 50 runs in 20 overs as the Thane side were dismissed for 139 in reply to Merchant XI8217;s first innings score of 164.

At stumps today, Merchant XI were 2-1 but in little danger of losing with only a day remaining in the three-day league match.

Earlier in the day, Merchant XI resumed at 117 for 5 but could only add 49 runs before they were bowled out for 164. None of the remaining five Merchant XI batsmen crossed 20 with No. 7 Niranjan Kavatkar8217;s 17 being the highest contribution from the batsmen today.

Medium pacer Mussaveer Khote, who was wicketless yesterday, took 3-29, while off-spinner Sameer Bandarkaradded to his two-wicket bag with two more to finish with 4-48 from 18.1 overs.

In their innings, Rangnekar XI were given a good 71-run start by openers Sahasrabuddhe 47 and Kamble 21 in 13.4 overs. But the arrival of left-arm spinner Prasad to the bowling crease turned the tide. Only Dushyant Kadam 35 crossed 20 among the remaining batsmen.

Brief scores: Vijay Merchant XI 164 Vijay Singh 44, Rohan Bagade 25; Sameer Bandakar 4-48, Musaveer Khote 3-29 and 2 for 1 vs Khandu Rangnekar XI 139 Mangesh Sahasrabuddhe 47, Dushyant Kadam 35; Rupesh Pawar 2-48, Shakti Prasad 6-50

Chennai, Ujjain in final

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Chennai and Ujjain will contest the final of the All-India Burhani Shield cricket tournament for the Bohra community, which will be played at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

In the semi-finals on Wednesday, contrasting results saw Chennai outplay Ahmedabad in a tall-scoring match at the Islam Gymkhana, while Mumbai tied with Ujjain, but lost out on the run-rate in the match played atthe Parsee Gymkhana.

Mumbai, winning the toss and electing to field skittled out Ujjain for 77 in 31.5 overs, but bungled in their chase for victory. Mumbai did get to the target, but took 37 overs to reach 77 and lost out on the run rate.

In the other semi-final, Chennai, electing to bat, piled up 206 for eight wickets from 45 overs and then had Ahmedabad all out for 197 in 44.2 overs to win by nine runs.

Brief scores

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Chennai 206 for 8 from 45 overs Illyas Motorwala 55 bt Ahmedabad 197 from 44.2 overs; Mumbai 77 all out in 37 overs lost to Ujjain 77 all out in 31.5 overs.

Sutarwar prevail

Sutarwar Sahar scored a solitary goal victory over Rhino in the MDFA-conducted Harwood football league at the St Xaiver8217;s ground, Parel, today.

After a goalless first-half, Sutarwar combined well and their efforts bore fruit when Elton Rodrigues capitalised on a rebound to score the only goal of the match.

Rhino had a chance in the closing minutes to equalise, but an Ashish Bhoir header hitthe crosspiece and the rebound was collected by Sutarwar goalkeeper Trevor Fernandes.

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Earlier, Fatima Parish Sewree scored a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Royal in the Division III-B encounter.

Ajay Kamble and Vallenci D8217;Souza were the goal-getters for Fatima.