In an exciting semi-final clash at the Kanpur South Ground, YMCC Club emerged victorious over Graduate Club by four wickets on Wednesday. This win propels them into the championship match of the prestigious Late KS Saxena Memorial Cricket Tournament, keeping their title hopes alive.
Graduate Club Sets a Competitive Target
Batting first after winning the toss, Graduate Club posted a total of 166 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted overs. Their innings was built on contributions from several batsmen. Hemant top-scored with a solid 33 runs, receiving good support from Yuvraj Yadav (32) and Bilal Firoz (26). Mayank Dubey added 21, while Alok Sahu remained not out on 27 towards the end to give the innings momentum.
The YMCC bowling attack, however, kept taking wickets at regular intervals to restrict the scoring. The standout performer with the ball was Virendra Pratap, who delivered a brilliant spell claiming 4 wickets for just 28 runs. He was ably supported by Devendra Singh, who chipped in with 1 wicket for 16 runs, maintaining tight control.
YMCC's Chase and Rahul Pal's Match-Winning Knock
Chasing 167 for a place in the final, YMCC's innings had its moments of tension but was anchored by key partnerships. Opener Ayush provided a steady start with 35 runs. The chase, however, was masterfully guided to completion by the duo of Rahul Pal and Afsar Khan.
Rahul Pal played a magnificent unbeaten innings of 44 runs, showcasing composure and skill under pressure. At the other end, Afsar Khan remained not out on 24, ensuring no further hiccups as YMCC reached 170 for 6 in 26.5 overs, sealing the win with four wickets in hand.
For Graduate Club, Bilal Firoz tried to turn the game with both bat and ball, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs. Tanuj Yadav also bowled well, picking up 2 wickets for 40 runs, but it wasn't enough to stop the YMCC charge.
Man of the Match and Road to the Final
For his pivotal, match-winning innings that steered his team to victory, Rahul Pal was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match (MOM) honour. His knock under pressure was the defining performance of the semi-final.
With this result, YMCC Club successfully sailed into the tournament's final, where they will face the winner of the other semi-final. The Late KS Saxena Memorial Cricket Tournament continues to be a highlight of Kanpur's local cricket calendar, showcasing emerging talent and competitive spirit.
