Review of FPL 2 – Best of Semis
Day 22 – 22-08-2011
BM XI vs Banking Bandits
BM XI won the toss and chose to Field first.
Innings 1:
Banking Bandits splendid batting record continued with them scoring yet another total above 100. With what can be called as a steady start to the match the Bandits managed to steal only 19 off the first three overs. And with opener Dharmendar and captain Sandeep falling within a few balls the pressure mounted on all-rounder Damodar to do the deed for his team. And he put up an amazing show to amaze all those who were in the ground with a blitzkrieg 63(8×6, 1×4) off just 20 balls the Bandits finally got back into the game. The partnership of 87 for the third wicket between Damodar and opener Bharat was not only the most crucial one for the team but also came at the most appropriate time. After Damodar’s wicket fell at 109 the team’s run flow went on at an average pace and they managed to reach a total of 132 at the loss of 6 wickets. From BM XI’s bowling the only upside was watching Amar bowl, conceding just 19 runs off 3 overs he also managed to take 3 wickets.
Score: 132/6 after 12 overs.
Innings 2:
With a lot of expectations from the opening pair the BM XI started the chase steadily.Aided by a lot of extras from Banking Bandits the BM XI had sufficient room to score. But trouble came in disguise when sathish tried to hit a ball for six in the second over. After sathish’s wicket there was an avalanche of wickets and things went terribly wrong for BM XI when they could not establish a partnership until they were 6 down. The middle order batsmen Yugandhar and Saravanan who started slow during sixth over managed to establish a partnership and took the team’s score to 107. But by then it was too late for BM XI to get back to the game. After the initial loss of wickets the partnership of 62 for the 7th wicket is worth a mention and is certainly laudable. For Banking Bandits Sreekanth took 4 wickets destroying the BM XI top order. And a fitting semi-final between two of the most entertaining teams in the series went to Banking Bandits’ favor.
The Tigers meet the Bandits on 25th and these two teams fight it out for the all-important FPL Cup. A Mexican stand-off between two of the best teams of the tournament on 25th evening will be top class entertainment without a doubt.
Man of the Match:
Damodar, for his all-round performance with the bat and ball. Bat- 63 off 20. Ball- 3.0-0-1-18.