 NO NEED FOR THIRD UMPIRE: IES New English (Bandra) wicketkeeper Nilkanth Parab stumps Umar Liyaqat of Anjuman-I-Islam, Urdu (CST) during their Harris Shield final at the Cross Maidan yesterday. IES won by 23 runs to set up a final clash with Anjuman-I-Islam, English
Pic: Santosh HarhareIt was a day to remember for IES New English (Bandra) at the Cross Maidan yesterday as they entered their maiden Harris Shield final beating Anjuman-I-Islam (Urdu) by 23 runs
Starting the day at 61 for 4, Anjuman could only manage to add 102 runs.
The final day belonged to spinners Vinit Dhulap (4 for 45) and Ankit Revendkar (3 for 23), who ran through the Anjuman lower order.
But the Bandra sides road to the final was paved on the penultimate day by Nilkanth Parab.
The 12-year-old batted for four sessions and played 295 balls for his 95. The youngster was also involved in an 83-run partnership for the eight wicket.
The wicketkeeper-batsmen showed no sign of fatigue even after spending five sessions on the field.
After we lost early wickets, it was left to the remaining batsman to take the score past 300, the teenager said.
I also had a partnership with Anuj Vakil that turned out to be very crucial. I am happy that we won, but I am also a bit disappointed because I missed out on a century, he added.
But Nilkanths job was not yet finished. He stood behind the wickets and did his job to a tee.
New English Captain Kaustubh Pawar was over the moon at the prospect of playing in their first final.
Everybody contributed towards the win. We did not expect to win so easily. Now all of us are looking forward to the final.
Coach Satish Sawant gave all the credit to Nilkanth.
He showed a lot of patience and determination at such a young age. He dropped anchor when we needed it the most, he said.
And he was not afraid of facing any bowler. He also inspired the seniors to do well, Samant added.
IES New English will play Anjuman-I-Islam (English) in the final.
Results (Semi-finals):
IES New English (Bandra) 367 (R Tendulkar 73, N Parab 95, Anuj Vakil 51; N Banne 4 for 40) beat Anjuman-I-Islam (Urdu) 163 all out (Sayyed Alamdar 33, Mussharraf Khan 36, Vinit Dhulap 4 for 45, Ankit Revendkar 3 for 23) by 213 runs Hansraj Morarji 48 & 163 (Azhar Khan 2 for 64, Abdula Iqbal 8 for 49) lost to Anjuman-I-Islam (English) 153 & 61(Salim Ansari 38 not out, Abdula 22)
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