MARGAO
Arlem Cricket Club beat Dempo Cricket Club by 6 wickets to enter the final of 43rd Nanda Lolayekar Trophy organised by Mashem Cricket Club at Nirakar Maidan, Mashem-Canacona.
Atharva Kale came up with a fine unbeaten knock of 80 runs off 54 balls, which included 9 boundaries and 3 sixes; and was involved in two crucial partnerships to steer Arlem in the high-scoring second semi-final.
Put in to bat, Dempo posted a formidable 217/8 in the allotted 35 overs. Azaan Thota (48) and Abhinav Tej Rana (29) got Dempo off to a good start with an opening partnership of 56 runs in 9.4 overs. Thereafter, Dempo lost wickets at regular intervals. Soham Panvalkar chipped in with 25 runs. Arlem's Shubham Dessai and Parth Sahani picked 3/25 and 2/41 respectively.
In the chase, Arlem made a solid start with openers Rajat Shet (39) and Anand Tendulkar (22) putting on 72 runs. After a mini collapse, Arlem were brought back on course by the 79-run stand for the 4th wicket by Atharva and Shubham Dessai, who struck four boundaries and a sixer.
After the departure of Shubham for 39 off 37 balls, Srinivas Phadte (15 not out) combined with Atharva for an unfinished 5th-wicket partnership of 61 runs to take their team to victory.
Dempo's Siddharth Mhatre took 2 wickets while Mayuresh Tandel and Udit Yadav picked up a wicket each. Arlem's all-rounder Shubham Dessai was named Man of the Match.
SCORES: Dempo CC, 217-8 in 35 overs (Ajan Thota 48, Abhinav Tejrana 29, Soham Panvalkar 25. Partth Sahani 2-41, Mehank Dharwadkar, Rajat Shet, Srinivas Fadte 1 wkt each) lost to Arlem CC, 219-4 in 32 overs (Atharv Kale 80*, Shubham Desai & Rajat Shet 39 each. Siddharth Mhatre 2-46, Udit Yadav & Mayuresh Tandel 1 wkt each).
