AECK, TEC, TKM join KEA in semi-finals
KUWAIT: The last round of league matches of Prof Ramachandran Memorial Cricket Tournament conducted by College of Engineering Trivandrum Alumimi Association (CETAA) was held on Nov 25 at the South Khaitan cricket grounds. AECK, TKM and TEC joined KEA in the semi finals after today’s matches.
Day’s first match between TKM and NSS was a “winner takes all” clash with the prize of a semi-final berth awaiting the winner. So a keen contest was expected. Unfortunately, NSS batting first lost 4 wickets for only 12 runs by the 4th over and all seemed lost bar the shouting. But a liberal dose of extras (19) conceded by TKM along with the plucky display by the lower order enabled NSS to finish on 47 for the loss of 8 wickets in their 12 overs. For TKM Anfar 2 for 9 with good support from Mukesh, Sreekumar and Ziad (1 wicket each) restricted NSS to a reasonable score. In reply, TKM lost Anfar early but a second wicket partnership of 31 runs between Mukesh (18- man of the match) and Ziad took them to the verge of victory. Even though both fell in quick succession, victory was never in doubt and TKM won easily by 7 wickets in the 9th over to earn the 2nd semifinal spot from Pool A.
In the second match, MACE had to win against AECK to stay in contention for a semifinal spot. Batting first, MACE showed they were up to the task with opener George in fine nick. After the quick exit of Delvin, George (22) found an able partner in Jayesh (14) and the two took MACE to 45 by the 8th over with attractive stroke play. Their exit in quick succession slowed the innings but short cameos from Roy and Dileep took MACE to a fighting 67 for 9 wickets in their 12 overs. Shameer (4 wickets) and Shabeer (3) took a spate of wickets in the last 4 overs to restrict MACE. In reply, Shameer (32 no - man of the match) and Nithin (13) put on 27 for the 1st wicket by the 51h over. After Nithin’s exit,
Rayees (18 no) accelerated the scoring with Shameer to put the result beyond any doubt and AECK won comprehensively by 9 wickets with more than 3 overs to spare. Jayesh took the only wicket to fall for MACE.
In the last match of the league phase, KEA put the CET bowling to the sword with exquisite stroke play by the openers Govind (58 no7x4, man of the match) and Tibish (41- 5x4) who put on 98 runs for the 1st wicket. Tibish was particularly impressive with his well timed drives on the offside. After his exit, Ajin joined Govind and made a quick fire 26 no off 10 balls to help KEA to a mammoth total of 138 for 1 wicket of their 12 overs. Arun took the only wicket to fall foxing Tibish with a slower one. In reply, Skipper Daniel (27) tried to break free with some robust hits but could not pierce the well set field. 2 down Zakir gave good support to Daniel adding 29 runs for the 3rd wicket but the other batsmen perished in their attempt to force the pace. In the end CET had to be satisfied with a score of 50 for 8 wickets of their 12 overs leaving KEA overwhelming winners by 88 runs. Sreejith (2 wickets) and Reny, Ajin, Govind, Johin (1 wicket each) completed the formalities for KEA.
Mrs Sally Roy, GS, MACE, Arun Davidson, GC (Eect) and Rajesh Panicker President, TKMCE were the chief guests and gave away the trophies.