Maxwell Swaminathan showcased his bowling prowess in a remarkable spell while Naman Ojha and Neil Mugabe displayed exceptional batting as Mahadev Strikers beat Mombasa Cement Giants in Ghanshyam-T10 tournament.
In the second match of the evening, Sikh Union’s all-rounder Jasraj Kundi’s half-century went in vain as Fearless Fighters fell by 17 runs to Ayodhya Warriors.
Opting to bat first, Ojha and Mugabe orchestrated their team's score of 97 for 4 before Swaminathan's impressive bowling restricted Mombasa Cement Giants to 80 for 7 within the allotted overs.
Swaminathan's entry into the attack turned the tide in Mahadev Strikers' favour. He claimed three wickets, including that of the dangerous Ali Butt, setting the tone for his team's dominance.
His economical bowling left Mombasa Cement Giants requiring 46 runs from 24 balls.
Giants faced setbacks with skipper Lucas Ndandason's dismissal of Kashif Anwar and Asgar Afgan's catch off Sachin Gill.
Despite their efforts, Mahadev Strikers' relentless pressure, highlighted by exceptional fielding, thwarted any hopes of a Giants' comeback.
Earlier, Ojha and Mugabe's explosive opening partnership provided Mahadev Strikers with a solid foundation, amassing 53 runs in just 24 balls.
Although Mugabe's departure saw a brief halt in momentum, contributions from Gill and Jay Gohil propelled the team towards a competitive total.
Captain Ndandason expressed his satisfaction with the team's collective effort, emphasising the importance of every player's contribution.
He praised Kabariya's composure during the crucial final over and lauded the team's performance in defending a challenging total.
In the second match, Kundi scored 51, including four sixes from 22 balls, as Fearless Fighters could only manage 106 for 5 in pursuit of 123.
Rajesh Bhudia was the thorn in the flesh for the Fighters, securing Ayodhya Warriors' first win of the event with figures of 2 for 19.
Earlier in the match, Peter Koech bagged 2 for 16, but that wasn’t enough to stop Samarth Vyas (44) and Ryan Burl (38) from laying a foundation for Ayodhya Warriors.
Koech had an early breakthrough for the Fighters when he bowled Tanzeel Sheik in the first over before Vyas and Burl solidified the innings with a second-wicket partnership of 79 runs in 6 overs.
