Catches win matches – maybe
The matches played in the BAOFinancial Autumn 2024 T20 Cup presented by HurryCurry on Sunday put to the test the old adage that catches win matches. Whilst this appeared to be true for British Forces in Cyprus, who dropped numerous catches on their way to defeat by Telugu 11, it did not seem to apply in the later game where Punjabi Kings missed many chances but still triumphed narrowly over Limassol Zalmi, who held a number of stunning catches without reward.
Limassol Zalmi 109 lost to Punjabi Kings 110-8 by 1 wicket
The nine men of Zalmi – later reduced to 8 due to an injury in the field – were indebted to opener Sadiq Muhammad who held the innings together with a steady 40 as they made 109 in 18 overs. Punjabi Kings’ off-spinner Ravi Gill suffered several drops off his bowling before having two caught behind off successive balls and one stumped to finish with 3-16. Mohit Sharma took 3-14, including a delightful slower ball to finally remove Sadiq, plus a “Mankad” run-out .
The Kings’ reply was going well at 79-2, with Rajinder Kumar making a rapid 35, but Zalmi held some good catches, notably two by Babar Ayub, and wickets tumbled to 97-7 with only two wickets left as they were also a man short. Salman Khan, switching from pace to leg-spin, took 3-27, but crucially overstepped for a no-ball which the batter played on to his stumps. With the scores level a stumping brought the last man to the crease, and with all the fielders crowded round the bat he managed to get the ball away for a single to win an eventful match.
Punjabi Kings still have a slight chance to qualify for the quarter finals if they can beat Moufflons in their last match, but only if Zalmi can do them a favour by beating Cyprus Knight Riders.
Telugu 11 151-6 beat BFC 94 by 57 runs
A succession of errors in the field – dropped catches and misfields – allowed Telugu to recover from 43-4 to reach 151-6.Ronnie DeFreitas and Alex Goodall bowled well but Telugu scored rapidly late on with Narinder Pal making 61 not out and Manikanta Ranimekala 28 from 13 balls, with 4 sixes. In reply BFC slipped to 29-5 and although Scott Burdekin hit 48, also including 4 sixes, he had little support and the innings petered out at 94 in the 18th over, with Subbareddy Alavala taking 4-29.
Despite the defeat, BFC can still reach the quarter finals if they beat Amdocs in their last match.
Markhor beat Kipro Tigers of Limassol by walkover
Kipro Tigers were unable to field a side for their match with Markhor, who were awarded the points and will qualify for the knockout phase if they beat Gujrat Lions in their last game.
Leading positions:
(4 points for a win)
Group A
Napa Kings played 4, points 12
Gujrat Lions p 3, pts 8
Markhor p 3, pts 5
Group B
Lankan SC p 4 pts 16
Amdocs p 3, pts 7
BFC p 3, pts 4
Group C
Moufflons p 3, pts 12
Cyprus Knight Riders p 3, pts 8
Black Caps p 4, pts 8
Punjabi Kings p 3, pts 4
Group D
Sri Lanka Lions p 2, pts 8
MSN Punjab Lions p2, pts 8
Both already through to quarter-finals