Date: September 19, 2024
Venue: MCLT25 Division 1 Grounds
Result: Nepalese Canadian-A won by 11 wickets
Nepalese Canadian-A put on a spectacular performance in the eliminator of the MCLT25 Division 1, cruising past Punjab Riders by 11 wickets. Their flawless chase saw them reach the target of 119 with ease, without losing a single wicket in just 15.3 overs.
Toss and First Innings
Punjab Riders won the toss and opted to bat first, hoping to post a competitive total on the board. However, their batting unit failed to capitalize on the start, losing wickets regularly and eventually settling for 118/9 in their allotted 22 overs.
Key contributions came from Tajinder Singh (21 off 19 balls) and Aarav Kuyeskar (22 off 38 balls), while Rishabh Sharda provided late fireworks with a blistering 24 off just 10 balls, including 2 sixes. Despite these efforts, Punjab Riders couldn’t accelerate their innings, as Nepalese Canadian-A’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout.
Punjab Riders Batting Performance:
- Top Scorers:
- Rishabh Sharda: 24 (10), 1 four, 2 sixes
- Wickets Lost: 9
- Total Runs: 118 in 22 overs
Nepalese Canadian-A Bowling Performance:
- Nabin Gurung: 4 overs, 2 wickets, 18 runs, Econ 4.50
- Mahesh Chhetri: 4 overs, 1 wicket, 14 runs, Econ 3.50
- Mihir Patel: 5 overs, 2 wickets, 32 runs, Econ 6.40
- Shushant Tuladhar: 5 overs, 2 wickets, 28 runs, Econ 5.60
- Chetanya Sharma: 4 overs, 1 wicket, 26 runs, Econ 6.50
The bowling unit worked collectively, with Nabin Gurung and Shushant Tuladhar each picking up two wickets, while Mihir Patel and Mahesh Chhetri chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. The disciplined bowling performance restricted Punjab Riders to a subpar total.
The Chase
Nepalese Canadian-A’s reply was nothing short of clinical. Openers Mahesh Chhetri and Mihir Patel ensured there was no hiccup in the chase, with both batsmen scoring unbeaten half-centuries. Mihir Patel was the standout performer, blasting a magnificent 75* off just 45 balls, hitting 8 boundaries and 2 sixes along the way. His explosive innings took the game away from Punjab Riders, while Mahesh Chhetri provided the perfect anchor, scoring 41* off 48 balls.
Nepalese Canadian-A reached 119 without losing a wicket in just 15.3 overs, securing a thumping 11-wicket victory and booking their spot in the next stage of the tournament.
Nepalese Canadian-A Key Batting Performances:
- Mihir Patel: 75* (45), 8 fours, 2 sixes, Strike Rate 166.67
- Mahesh Chhetri: 41* (48), 2 fours, Strike Rate 85.42
- Extras: 3
- Total: 119/0 in 15.3 overs
Player of the Match: Mihir Patel
Mihir Patel’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award. His two wickets with the ball, combined with a blistering 75* in the chase, made him the standout player of the match.
Final Thoughts
Nepalese Canadian-A’s dominance in both departments—bowling and batting—was on full display in this eliminator. They bowled with discipline, restricting Punjab Riders to a low total, and then chased the target with absolute ease. With this win, they advance further in the MCLT25 Division 1 tournament, looking like a strong contender for the championship.
