News Byte

Goa Lions & Tigers make way for Corporates
news
GCA News Bytes Goa Lions' dream run in the Goa Corporate League (GCL) came to an end after the side lost to ONGC by seven runs in the first semifinals match played at Goa Cricket Association (GCA) ground, Porvorim on Friday.In the other semifinal of the day, Reliance managed to beat IOC by a run and book their place in the finals. The first GCL will thus be an All India final with the Goan teams exiting after showing their might against some of the best players of the country. Goa Lions' outdid their expectations in the tournaments as they rode on victories over Mahindra and Air India and held Reliance in the group stage to progress into the semifinals undefeated. Batting first, ONGC set up a target of 153 for 4 in the allotted 20 overs. Milind Kumar (32n.o off 22 balls) and Rahul Tewatia (27n.o off 16 balls) put up 58 run fifth wicket partnership to help ONGC put up the decent target. With Suhail Sharma (35) and Samarth Singh (6) gave ONGC a brisk start before Buddhadev gave the first breakthrough for Goa. Suhail soon lost his wicket to Lakshay Gard reducing ONGC 46 for 2. Tanmay and Nitish put up a 39-run stand together before Sher Bahadur Yadav sent the later back to dugout. Much to Goa Lions' dismay, the wickets only bettered the ONGC batting as their middle order scored 50+ runs in the final five overs. In reply, chasing a decent target, Goa Lions lost Swapnil Asnodkar's wicket in the very second over for 22 runs. However, Suraj (34) and Snehal (11) went on to build 31 run partnership, but just as the team gained momentum, Subodh Bhatti caught and bowled the former. From there on Goa lost regular wickets thus falling short of 7 runs. Suhail Sharma (3/25) was the pick of ONGC bowlers.