Defending champions Dempo Challengers scored a thrilling one-run victory over Prescon Panthers in the opening match of the third edition of Panjim Gymkhana Members League at PG ground, Campal on Saturday afternoon.
Dempo all-rounder Dhilan Shah made a huge impact on the match with a contribution of run-a-ball 23 runs with the bat as it enabled crucial partnerships in a low-scoring affair and a return of 2/16 with the ball; thus adjudged to be the man of the match. Yogish Dempo was the chief guest for the presentation ceremony.
Put into bat Dempo Challengers posted a total of 136/8 with Vijay Nagarajan being the chief run-getter. The captain and towering opener hammered 40 runs of 13 balls with the help of five sixers and two boundaries. Shubham Lokre stroked a valuable 31 runs, coming down the order after the Dempo inning was rocked by loss of wickets in a heap. His 23-ball inning consisted two boundaries and a sixer. H Carol made 17 runs.
Prescon Panthers seemed to have the situation well under control with a great start they got as Prashant Pangam (33) and Gourav Desai (27) batted sensibly. It was Dhillan who made the crucial double breakthrough in the 12th over to bring Dempo back into the contest. Prescon weathered the storm and looked to be back on track with a 50 runs partnership as Prajyot Rivonker scored 38 runs (20 balls; 1×4, 2×6) and was involved in that fantastic sixth-wicket stand with Vardhan Haldankar.
With six runs needed in the final over being bowled by Dinesh Amrute (2/17), Prescon found it difficult to get going. And when Dinesh castled the set batter Vardhan (22), Prescon were left with the task of scoring 3 runs of the last ball; which could not materialise and they were restricted to 135/8.
