Kolkata: Town Club defeated table-toppers Tapan Memorial by two runs thanks to Md Kaif’s incredible spell while Tapan Memorial’s Kaif Ahmed’s blistering century went in vain in Bengal T20 Challenge on Sunday (December 6) at Eden Gardens.
Chasing a target of 166 runs Ahmed fought a lone battle by smashing 108 off 62 deliveries crafted with 11 sixes and 4 boundaries before being removed by Kaif in the last over who successfully defended the total with Tapan needing only 4 runs off the last over to win.
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Kaif finished with 4 wickets leaking just 11 runs off 3.5 overs and took 2 wickets in the last over to bundle Tapan for 163 runs. Kaif who snatched 4 points for his team in a nail-biting finish said, “I was trying to bowl my normal length, didn’t think much about Ahmed batting on 108. I had confidence in my abilities and had faith that I will be able to defend 3 runs.”
Electing to bat first Town Club rode on a 111-run partnership between skipper Avijit and Purab Joshi to post a challenging total of 165/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Avijit hit a fluent 66 off 51 deliveries crafted with 4 sixes and 3 boundaries while Purab scored 45 off 38 balls. For Tapan Memorial, Prayas Ray Burman and Sandipan Das picked up 2 wickets apiece.
“I am disappointed to lose this match, chose the wrong ball, played the wrong shot at the end. When I came to bat we were losing wickets in regular intervals and I only tried to play my normal game,” said heartbroken centurion Ahmed. While chasing table-toppers Tapan lost 5 batters in exchange for just 25 runs including skipper Shahbaz Ahamed as Town bowlers put up a disciplined show.
