02/02/2019
Providence Cup – 2019, Match 3 (Ground No. 23) – Kannur Royal Legends CC Vs. Alappey Arasca YMCC
Kannur RLCC victory streak recesses, but Marches in to the Quarters
Alappey YMCC won the toss and elected to field.
Highlights:
Kannur Royal Legends - 224/10 (19.2 Overs)
Hemin Desai - 71 (21)
Abdul Rasheed - 46 (24)
Noman Safdar: 4-37-4
Saleesh Lakshman: 3.3-29-3
Alappey Arasca YMCC - 225/6 (19.2 Overs)
Sandeep Poojary - 50 (25)
Arun Pillai - 39 (27)
Unnikrishnan: 4-15-3
Arun Joy: 2.2-28-1
Story of the Match
A highly charged up Kannur RLCC was eyeing nothing less than a third win in their final league match.RLCC came up with few changes on their side. Star studded opener Suleiman, bowling ace Vishnu and fielding marshal Sreejith were rested. Basha, Shaheer and Rashid joined the side.
RLCC opening pair Saji and Rasheed came in the middle. Rasheed was in great form and he made his intentions very clear from the word “GO”. Once again Saji was dismissed for a mere 2 runs when he miss timed a shot and awarded an easy catch to the fielder at short mid-on. Hemin who went in after Saji’s departure was in a mood of revenge for his early dismissals in last two matches. He pounded the opponent bowlers with sheer power and set the turf on fire. It was feast to the eyes for the spectators every time when Hemin was on strike. Bowlers were clueless to stop this classy player and got punished ruthlessly.
At the other end Rasheed with his matured and well controlled innings justified his inclusion in the playing eleven. He also didn’t allow the opponent bowlers to take easy breath as the ball was dispatched all over the park. Everything was working well for RLCC and the scoreboard was racing towards a huge total. Then came the break-through for the opponents in the form of Rasheed’s wicket who was caught out for 46 in 24 balls.
Arun the Vice-Captain of RLCC decided to carry the innings along with Hemin who was on fire and chipped in with a very valuable 21 runs from16 balls before getting bowled of an excellent Yorker by Safdar. Disaster struck RLCC when Hemin tried to run the ball down to third man and got caught in the slips. Saheer was sent in by the Captain who began in style and yet another cameo – 23 runs from 13 balls ended when he was caught LBW by Saleesh. Then RLCC’n batsmen threw away their wickets in haste and the innings collapsed. Where once the projected score was over 250, RLCC’n innings ended up for 224 in the 20th over.
Great round of applause to Noman Safdar and Saleesh for their disciplined bowling that helped Alappey to restrict the RLCC’n score board at 224.
Chasing the target of 225 runs, YMCC started off confidently. Unnikrishnan was once again at his best and gave a hard time to the openers. Unfortunately he lacked support from the other end in keeping up the pressure on the opponent batsmen. Runs were coming in flurry and it seemed that the match was slipping out for RLCC. The match was poised in an interesting situation when Arun was given the ball as RLCC was desperately looking for a break through. Arun with his controlled variation in his pace gave a difficult time to the batsmen and created chances twice in his first over. RLCC fielders spilled both the chances.
Excellent bowling by Unni and Arun helped RLCC to prolong the victory for YMCC to the last over of the match. Though wickets fell in intervals, RLCC bowling side generously credited the extras as second highest scorer in the opponent’s batting score card – 37 extras given away cost the match for RLCC.
YMCC won by 4 wickets.
Great batting display by Sandeep Poojary and Saleesh Lakshman who held their nerves and played the pivotal role in YMCC victory.
With the excellent performance throughout the group stages barring a minor hiccup this match, RLCC still topped the Group A with the best net run rate, and march to the Quarter Finals, which will be played on 08.02.19 against the mighty Calicut Splendid CC.
Battles that are lost, are winning lessons to create history in battles to come. Let’s get back stronger and steadier 💪💪👍👍.