(MENAFN- Arab Times) The 4th day's play (Dec 12, 2014) of the 17th Prof Ramachandran memorial cricket tournament (sponsored by GTE Olayan Co and organized by College of Engineering Trivandrum Alumni Association-CETAA) started with a match between AECK and TKM in Pool B. TKM had to win to have a realistic chance of entering the semifinal and hence were expected to go all out for a win. Asked to bat first, AECK changed tactics by sending Remon to open with Nithin instead of the prolific scoring Mahesh but the move backfired as Remon was out for a duck bowled by Mukesh. When Rafi and Melvin followed soon after, Mahesh joined Nithin for the most productive phase of the AECK innings.
Nithin (33) and Mahesh (21) added 34 runs for the 4th wicket to take AECK to a challenging 78 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 12 overs. Mukesh (2 for 19) bowled well for TKM ably supported by RahuI, Riju, Anfar and Ajmal. In reply, TKM found the going tough. With the asking rate rising, TKM tried to hit their way out of trouble but against the persistent bowling and agile fielding of AECK none of their batsmen could rise to the occasion and TKM finished on a disappointing 46 for the loss of 9 wickets off their 12 overs leaving AECK convincing winners by 32 runs. For AECK Rinaz (3 for 8 - man of the match) was the star with the other bowlers chipping in with a wicket each.
In the 2nd match, NSS batted first against CET knowing that a win would put them into the semi-final. CET could not get a break-through as Nishant (28 - man of the match) and Praveen (17) put on 40 runs for the first wicket. 2 down Mithun (15) also made a substantial contribution to take NSS to a comfortable 84 for the loss of 6 wickets off their 12 overs. CET bowling was nothing to write home about as they failed to maintain the pressure. In reply CET batting was the same story with none able to play a substantial innings. CET struggled to 44 for the loss of 9 wickets to leave NSS comfortable winners by 40 runs and a place in the semi-finals. For NSS Dileep (3 for 3), Mithun (2 for 17) and Mahesh were the stars in restricting CET.
The 3rd and final league match between TEC and KEA was to decide the group winners as both had already qualified for the semi-final. Batting first, KEA lost Nithin cheaply but a second wicket partnership of 31 runs between Govind (21) and the consistent Ajin (19) helped KEA recover. In an attempt to increase the run-rate, the later batsmen threw away their wickets and KEA finished on a none too impressive 67 for the loss of 6 wickets off their 12 overs. As usual, all the TEC bowlers bowled in tandem to restrict KEA with Dinto (2 for 17), Suresh (2 for 13) and Anoop, Shajeer (1 wicket) being the wicket takers for TEC.
In reply, TEC started sedately with the openers Gireesh and Suresh putting on 23 for the 1st wicket. Thereafter, they lost wickets at regular intervals amidst the mounting pressure. But Dinto (16 n.o. - man of the match) held one end up with a calm and composed display and took TEC home with 2 balls and 2 wickets to spare.. Ajin, Nithin and Nasif (2 wickets each) bowled their hearts out but a dropped catch and liberal extras proved dear to KEA in the end.
The guests of honour for today's matches were Harikumar (ex- President - CETAA), Shyam Mohan (ex - President NSS), and KS Varughese (ex- GC - KEF). In the semifinals on Dec 19, 2014, AECK will meet KEA at 7.30 am, while TEC will play NSS at 10 am.
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