Champions Parsee Gymkhana (PG) played brilliantly to win the grand finale of the 68^th Salar Jung Community Invitation Cricket Tournament, beating Souvenir CC by 40 runs in the finals, at Islam Gymkhana on 1^st May, 2017. PG’s Aakarshit Gomel starred in the game with an incredible, unbeaten 87 in 55 balls, smashing 12 fours and 2 sixes!

Souvenir CC won the toss and opted to bowl first, looking to restrict their opposition. PG were on top of their game amassing 166-7 in 20 overs. Along with Aakarshit, Arman Jaffer contributed 17, while skipper Raunaq Sharma’s vital knock of 22 in 12 balls and Ajinkya Patil’s 18, helped PG get a competitive total on the board. Man in form, Aakarshit Gomel, carried forward the same momentum through the tournament, accumulating a total of 231 runs. For Souvenir CC, Sarfaraz Shaikh was the pick of the bowlers snapping up 2-33 in his 4 overs spell.

In reply, Souvenir CC looked confident but succumbed to the pressure with wickets falling at regular intervals. PG’s skipper, Raunaq Sharma, rotated his bowlers well, not allowing any of the opposition batsman to settle in and play their shots. Team Souvenir were skittled out for 126 in 17.2 overs as Aman Khan top-scored with 35. Amongst PG bowlers, Mainoddin Mulani bowled spectacularly with 3-9 in 3 overs and Raunaq Sharma grabbed 2-23; while Shivam Malhotra, Shams Mulani, Khizar Dafedar, Abhimanyu Vashistha and Arman Jaffer, all scalped a wicket each. A complete all-round team effort ensured Parsee Gym win its first ever ‘Salar Jung Cricket Tournament’. Aakarshit Gomel was awarded ‘Man of the Match’ and also declared ‘Best Batsman of the Tournament’.

Speaking to Parsi Times, Vice President and Cricket Secretary of Parsee Gymkhana, Khodadad Yazdegardi said, “This tournament was a bit difficult for us because it was mandatory to include four Muslim players in the eleven. Once we got the required cricketers, it was difficult for me to drop my four regular PG players as we had to balance out the squad. It was difficult to gel as a team in such a short time with four new players. But the boys stuck to the game plan, taking one game at a time and I am proud of all of them. Finally a big thank you to our sponsors Aspan Cooper, Spenta Group of Companies, Parsee Gymkhana President, Mehli Golvala for the trust and faith he has imposed in me, my Cricket Subcommittee members and Managing Committee members for all their support.”