Waseem Ahmed (90 n.o., 55b, 7×4, 5×6) and Sanjay Yadav (60 n.o., 33b, 3×4, 4×6 and three for 28) proved kingmakers for Trichy Grand Cholas because it downed Siechem Madurai Panthers by 67 runs in a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match right here on Tuesday.
After being requested to bat, an unbeaten 126-run stand between the dashing duo powered Cholas to 193 for 2. The pair turned the innings on its head after Cholas had an unusual first 10 overs (69 runs). Dropping Arjun Moorthy and S. Shyam Sundar (30, 28b, 2×4, 1×6) didn’t faze them as they smashed the bowlers to all corners of the beautiful Salem Cricket Basis Floor with breathtaking brutality.
The 23-year-old Waseem — enjoying his second TNPL match — had a few fortunate breaks, however the opener didn’t lose his conviction, particularly in his missiles down the bottom.
In reply, skipper Hari Nishaanth (39, 20b, 5×4, 1×6) led Panthers’ herculean chase even when the aspect saved on shedding batters whereas attempting to maintain up with the run-rate.
Hari went down with a cramp after smoking a six over deep mid-wicket within the seventh over. This appeared to have an effect on the southpaw’s rhythm as he miscued a reverse sweep off Sanjay and was caught at brief third-man.
Panthers had been cornered at 84 for 5 in 9.1 overs and by no means actually recovered from there because the Trichy outfit ended up on the profitable aspect for the primary time since 21 July 2022.
THE SCORES
Trichy Grand Cholas 193 for 2 in 20 overs (Waseem Ahmed 90 n.o., S. Shyam Sundar 30, Sanjay Yadav 60 n.o.) bt Siechem Madurai Panthers 126 in 16.4 overs (Hari Nishaanth 39, V. Athisayaraj Davidson 2/11, Sanjay Yadav 3/28, R. Rajkumar 3/9); Toss: Panthers.
Wednesday’s match: Chepauk Tremendous Gillies vs IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, Salem Cricket Basis Floor, 7.15 PM IST.