While Dinesh Karthik stole the show yesterday with final overs blitz against Bangladesh in the Nidahas Trophy final. Incidentally, a similar script was being played out in the T20 Mumbai as Dhrumil Matkar launched the last ball of the match for a six to take Supersonics home.
The T20 Mumbai running towards its finish ended with a thrilling encounter to the end the group stage. The first match of the day (18th March) proved to be a one-sided affair as NaMo Bandra Blasters snapped up a 10-wicket win. The night game went down to the wire as Supersonics surged ahead in the 3-wicket victory.
The North Mumbai Panthers, who have had a disappointing season so far, batted first in the day game and had a flying start. After putting up 40 runs in first five overs, the Panthers lost their grip on proceedings. They kept losing wickets regularly.
The veteran leg-spinner Pravin Tambe accompanied by Atul Singh, Azhar Ansari, and Karsh Kothari each picked two wickets. North Mumbai Panthers struggled and eventually ended with only 125 runs on the board.
The Blasters annihilated the Panthers attack and did not give them any chance of a comeback. Openers Eknath Kerkar 50*(36) and Shreyas Iyer 71*(34 balls) with 8 Fours and 3 Sixes took Bandra home with all wickets intact.
By the time, night match started the playoff fixtures were confirmed. Shivaji Park Lions standing on the fourth spot had a great chance to upset the table-toppers SoBo Supersonics in a dead-rubber match.
The disastrous start at 30/3 meant the responsibility of scoring fell back on the captain Bravish Shetty. He was well supported by Shams Mulani and Shivam Dubey later to take the score to a respectable 150/7.
Taking an early flying route, the SoBo SuperSonics raced to 42 in first four overs. The Lions hit back at this stage and nipped up quick wickets. With 53 runs to defend in last 25 balls, the Lions were favorite at this stage of the match.
The spirited fightback was led by Sujit Nayak and Gaurav Jathar. Both together added 51 runs off 27 balls. The result boiled down to the last over and the last ball. Dhrumil Matkar facing the last ball, needed two runs to win on the last ball. He screamed his way to the win with a six.
With the league round completed, the playoffs will start today afternoon. SoBo Supersonics and Triumph Knights Mumbai North East will play the first Qualifier. NaMo Bandra Blasters face Shivaji Park Lions in the eliminator at night.
(Qualifier 1): SoBo SuperSonics vs Triumph Knights Mumbai North East
(Eliminator 1): NaMo Bandra Blasters vs Shivaji Park Lions
