Panaji: Dempo Cricket Club booked their place in the semifinals of the Bandodkar League T20 Tournament despite suffering a 28-run defeat against Salgaocar Cricket Club at the Panjim Gymkhana ground on Friday.
Salgaocar recovered from early setbacks through a decisive 94-run fourth-wicket stand between Ayush Verlekar and Yogesh Kauthankar to post 172/8 after being asked to bat first. Ayush anchored the innings with a brisk 65 off 45 deliveries, while Yogesh added 57 off 40 balls to shift the momentum in Salgaocar’s favour.
Dempo’s bowlers had made early inroads before the partnership turned the tide. Samit Aryan Mishra impressed with a three-wicket haul, while Saniket Palkar chipped in with two wickets.
In reply, Dempo attempted an aggressive chase but struggled to stitch together meaningful partnerships. Prathamesh Salunkhe provided early momentum with a quickfire 38 off 17 balls, attacking the bowlers from the outset to keep Dempo in the hunt.
Rahul Mehta then produced a fighting half-century, scoring 51 off 41 deliveries and carrying the chase deep into the innings with a determined lower-order effort. However, regular wickets prevented Dempo from building sustained pressure as they were bowled out for 144 in 19.2 overs.
Achit Shigwan starred with the ball for Salgaocar, claiming three wickets, while Yogesh Kauthankar capped an impressive all-round outing with two scalps after his half-century earlier in the evening.
