EACA 40-overs Tournament
On the picture perfect Sunday at Lido beach, ACS won an all-important toss and smartly invited Phantoms struggling batting unit to set a target on a rain-affected and damp outfield.
Nishchal Gowda scored 69 valuable runs in Phantoms win over ACS.
In-form Nishchal Gowda and Atiq Mufti started for Phantoms and contributed 49 runs when experienced Zamin Amin caught Atiq at point.
This triggered another middle order collapse for Phantoms as ACS came back strong looked truly on top with the score reading 80 for five at the end of 20th overs.
On the other side, Phantoms opener Nishchal Gowda continued his excellent batting form and scores his first 50 of the season with beautiful six over deep square leg while ACS continued to chip in with wickets at the other end.
Phantoms were looking at an early lunch when Nishchal Gowda’s brilliant innings of 69 ended with an unfortunate run out with score at 122 in 30th over. However, batsman Muhammed Fahad had other ideas as he belted 24 critical runs and was well supported by skipper Shakeel Hamdani for 10th wicket, Phantoms innings ended at 159 in 39.1 overs.
Trevor Walker was pick of ACS bowlers with three wickets.
In reply, ACS started the chase aggressively as Steve Nowrangilall belted Shakeel Hamdani for a six and a four but experienced off-spinner had the last laugh and cleaned up Steve in the same over.
Tamesh Balwant and Deonauth Baksh kept their composure and looked set to take game away when Deonauth was caught brilliantly by Shakeel Hamdani of Atiq Mufi.
Karan Ganesh and Tamesh steadied the ship and it looked as it deal is sealed, until super pumped up Monish Gandhi was introduced into attack, after a poor first over Monish quickly got his baring right and used his deceiving pace to beautifully trap set batsman Tamesh (30) LBW.
Monish didn’t stop there and kept bowling with high emotions and energy, game was changed when he took scalp of dangerous-looking Karan Ganesh (24) who was smartly held by Shakeeb Murtaza at short third man.
Muhammed Fahad was not just done yet, he got into action by brilliantly juggle-catching Dwayne Smith off Monish at short mid-wicket and used his off-spin to dupe Aun Merchant (stumped) and Shafeek Shah caught at cover by Shakeel Hamdani.
With rare victory in sights, Phantoms continued the pressure with tight bowling and fielding as Zamin Amin and Andre Stoll tried to rebuild ACS innings until Shakeel Hamdani introduced himself into attack and captured Zamin’s wicket.
Stoll and Charlton Senior made valiant effort in the end but spinning trio of Shakeel Hamdani, Muhammed Fahad and Wahab Pervez was too hot to handle as Wahab cleaned up Senior and Shakeel foxed Trevor Walker for his 3rd wicket and completed a sensational 28 run upset victory over consistent ACS who are bowled out for 131 in 32.2 overs.
Phantoms improve to 2-3 and will host Arsenal at Lido Beach on June 22.
