M. Pallonji lifted the Qalco Day-Night Cricket Tournament 2017 trophy with a five-wicket win over Asian Cricket Club (ACC) on Thursday.
The final of the tournament, which saw the top 8 teams of Division I competing on a knockout basis at Lusail Cricket Complex, was played at MIC Sports Complex in Mesaieed.
M. Pallonji won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that eventually proved to be a good one.
ACC scored 37 runs in the first 6 overs for the loss of 1 wicket. However, ACC could not carry the momentum after that and wickets fell at regular intervals due to some tight bowling and excellent fielding by M. Pallonji.
ACC were wrapped up for 78 runs in 12 overs, with Bilal and Naveed the only batsmen to enter double figures, scoring 15 and 12 runs respectively.
Tissaru was the pick of the bowlers for M. Pallonji, scalping three wickets, while Firdous and Rajesh took two wickets each.
In reply, M. Pallonji started slowly but confidently, also putting up 37 runs for the loss of one wicket like their opponents did in the first inning.
M. Pallonji chased down the target of 79 runs in 12 overs. Neeraj was the top-scorer for the eventual winners, with an unbeaten 17 (one six). Ibrahim and Tissaru scored 15 and 12 runs respectively in the successful chase. ACC’s Sameer took three wickets but couldn’t stop M. Pallonji from posting a win.
Tissaru’s all-round performance earned him the Man of the Finals award. Teammate Neeraj was adjudged Best Wicketkeeper of the tournament.
CCRC Warriors’ Mazhar Iqbal and Faslin were presented the Best Batsman and Bowler awards respectively, while Hanan XII’s Imran was given the Best All Rounder award.
Qatar Lubricants Co’s Operation director Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary was the chief guest at the thrilling finals. He gave away more than 150 prizes.