Shillong, Apr 4: Hurdles CC and Cricket Lovers CC will meet in Saturday’s final of the 3rd East Khasi Hills Cricket Association District League after each won their respective semifinal in Smit today.
Hurdles defeated Laitjem CC by 10 runs in the first semi, while Cricket Lovers had an even narrower margin of victory as they beat Nongdawah CC by just five runs.
Both of the winning teams batted first but, in the case of Hurdles, it was because they were made to do so after losing the toss.
Laitjem hoped to restrict their opponents to a low score but Hurdles managed 152 all out, though without utilising their full allotment of overs as they were dismissed in 18.5 overs. Hurdles relied on Sandy Stone Kharshandi (40 from 24 balls) and Jonathan Pariong (39 from 24) to put up a challenging total. The standout bowlers from the other side were Antony Pathaw and Pynbhalang Kharsati, who shared all 10 wickets between them. Antony had sensational figures of 6/23 in 4 overs, while Pynbhalang claimed 4/10 in 3.5.
In reply, Laitjem were close but were restricted to 144/7 in 20 overs, with a top score of 24 from 22 deliveries by Mebanshan Kharsati. Jonathan (pictured left) returned with the ball to take 2/24 in 4 overs and he was declared Player of the Match as Hurdles won by 10 runs.
Later, Cricket Lovers won the toss and batted first but the decision appeared to go badly as they were all out for just 107 in 17.5 overs. Muksodul Chaudhary was the top scorer with 27 from 29, while Kyrmenskhem Nongpluh took 4/20 in 4 overs.
Like Laitjem before them, Nongdawah had wickets in hand but still weren’t able to reach the target and they were kept down to 102/8 in 20 overs. Wankitlang Nongpluh struck 31 from 21, while Raj Kishor Yadav took 3/11 in 4 overs to win the match for Cricket Lovers. Muksodul (pictured right) was named Player of the Match.
(Photos contributed)
