Simply Play Cricket - Biggest Cricket Org in NE

Scorecard

Simply Play Cricket - Biggest Cricket Org in NE Simply Play Cricket v Iowa State University on Sun 25 May 2014 at 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Simply Play Cricket - Biggest Cricket Org in NE Won by 5 wickets

Match report FINAL - SPC vs ISU

Simply Play Cricket's (SPC) "Band of Brothers" do it again. Winning the United States of America Cricket Association's (USACA) Central West tournament, SPC has put Omaha cricket on the USACA cricket map. A second major victory in a span of 7 months for SPC. Last season, SPC won the Heartland Cricket League (HCL) Mega T20 by beating the top 5 teams in the HCL.

The finals was a repeat of the HCL Mega T20 tournament with SPC playing Iowa State University (ISU). ISU won the toss and chose to bat. With their batsman in great form, this was the obvious choice. Adnan Fazal, Sannel Patel and Deepak Navi of ISU were in great form going into the final. With some tight bowling by SPC's bowling attack, every bowler contributed to restricting the target to a 171 runs. Atik Sheik was the pick of the bowler's with 4-0-20-3. Sandeep Rana (2), Haroon Idrees (1), Ankur Sharma (1), Naveen Alakunte (1), Purathatil Krishnan (1) and Denny Jose (1) were the other wicket takers. The bowlers were supported very well by the fielders with some great catches by Rajneesh Bhatti, Purathatil Krishnan, Rajesh Panigrahi, Ankur Sharma and Sufyan Hayath. These catches helped SPC contain the ISU batsman from racing off to another huge total in this tournament. Deepak Navi was the pick of the ISU batsman scoring a quick fire 42 (22 balls) like he always does. He had 4 sixers and 2 fours in that innings. Naveen was brought on to slow him down and with Ankur's help dismissed Deepak. Ameer and Yasir contributed 25 (18) and 28 (24) in the middle order to get ISU to 170.

Chasing a target of 171 runs, SPC launched off to do what they have done well throughout the tournament - chasing big totals. Purathatil Krishnan provided the impetus scoring 30 (17 balls) that included 2 sixers and 2 fours. When Krish departed, SPC were 49 for 2 in 5 overs. Naveen Alakunte was his usual self scoring 32 (16 balls) with 2 sixers and 2 fours. When he turns the dial, its usually "PLAY FETCH" time for the opposing fielders. Scoring 16 runs in one over he turned the tide in SPC's favor to make it a run a ball contest. But, the hero of this game was Rajesh Panigrahi, who cut, pulled, hooked, chipped and drove his way to a well made chance less 96 not out. Coming in to bat in the second over, Rajesh was brilliant in pacing his innings, punishing every ball that deserved to be dispatched to the fence. He had 8 fours and 4 sixers in this brilliant knock. As a late entrant, Rajesh has carved out a spot for himself in this strong batting lineup for SPC. Well done, Rajesh!

Other emerging players for SPC are Ankit Sikarwar and Shiva Boddeboyina. Special mention for Shiva for taking 4 wickets in his maiden leather ball tournament.

SPC is proud not only for winning the tournament, but also for the teamwork, skill, discipline and professionalism displayed by its team members. Way to go, SPC!

Not transparent to many is the hard work that the unsung heroes put in behind the scenes to organize tournaments and to execute them without hitches. A standing ovation is due to Chintamani Manish and Asad Syed for their hard work in making this tournament a success. This tournament was another example of great teamwork by members of the Cricket Association of Nebraska and Simply Play Cricket to co-host the USACA Central West tournament in Omaha. While Manish was instrumental in planning, Asad was key in the operational aspects and also ensuring that all players were well hydrated. Asad also contributed by fielding for nearly 50 overs on Sunday. Manish and Asad were well supported by Janmajay Tanvar, Rizwan Mirza, Peter Patel, Sriram Soorapaneni and Purathatil Krishnan in getting things ready for the tournament - preparing the grounds, organizing lunches and accommodation for visiting teams, setting up tents and providing equipment, scoreboards, scoresheets and million other things that are needed for smooth operation. Thanks also goes to Gau Sura who travelled to Omaha on Saturday to umpire for 2 games. Thanks to the visiting teams Colorado Cricket League and Iowa State University for making this tournament competitive and the run festival that made it entertaining.

Overall, a great weekend with good weather. Cricket wins!

Iowa State University Batting
Player name RunsMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
170 (20.0 overs)		     
Sannel Patel ct  c Rajneesh Bhatti b Sandeep Rana 18 16 2 112.50
Adnan Fazal ct  c Purathatil Krishnan b Atik Sheikh 16 14 1 114.29
Deepak Navi ct  c Ankur Sharma b Naveen Alakunte 42 22 2 3 190.91
Ganesh Upadhyay ct  c Rajesh Panigrahi b Haroon Idrees 1 4 25.00
Amir Ijaz ct  c Sufyaan Hayath b Purathatil Krishnan 25 18 2 1 138.89
Ankit Sikarwar ct  c Sufyaan Hayath b Ankur Sharma 0 1 0
Yasir Ijaz b  b Sandeep Rana 28 24 3 116.67
Shiva Boddeboyina ct  c Rajesh Panigrahi b Denny Jose 3 4 75.00
Pratik Not Out  4 7 57.14
Edwin ct  c Sufyaan Hayath b Atik Sheikh 1 5 20.0
Gowri ct  c & b Atik Sheikh 3 4 75.00

Simply Play Cricket - Biggest Cricket Org in NE Simply Play Cricket Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Sandeep Rana4.0034217.008.50
Atik Sheikh4.002036.675.00
Haroon Idrees2.0021121.0010.50
Sami Rahmanzai3.002100.007.00
Ankur Sharma2.0026126.0013.00
Naveen Alakunte2.0012112.006.00
Purathatil Krishnan1.0011111.0011.00
Denny Jose2.0023123.0011.50

Simply Play Cricket - Biggest Cricket Org in NE Simply Play Cricket Batting
Player Name RMB4s6sSRCatchesStumpingsRun outs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
174		        
Purathatil Krishnan ct  c Edwin b Ankit Sikarwar 30 17 2 2 176.47 1
Rajneesh Bhatti ct  c Amir Ijaz b Shiva Boddeboyina 1 2 50.0 1
Rajesh Panigrahi Not Out  96 55 8 4 174.55 2
Atik Sheikh ct  c Gowri b Shiva Boddeboyina 8 8 1 100 1
Naveen Alakunte ct  c Amir Ijaz b Sannel Patel 32 16 2 2 200
Sufyaan Hayath ct  c Gowri b Deepak Navi 1 2 50.0 3
Sami Rahmanzai Not Out  1 1 100
Sandeep Rana  
Haroon Idrees  
Denny Jose  
Ankur Sharma   1

Iowa State University Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Shiva4.0038219.009.50
Yasir3.002800.009.33
Deepak4.0051151.0012.75
Ankit3.0025125.008.33
Ameer1.001600.0016.00
Sannel2.0015115.007.50