Key Points

After powering Thane to a formidable total with a brisk unbeaten half-century, Patil returned to make an impact with the ball, picking up two key wickets in a superb all-round display. His efforts proved decisive as the Strikers decimated the Blasters’ batting line-up to seal their second straight victory, building on their opening-day win over Triumph Knights Mumbai North East.

On a wicket which offered even bounce, Sairaj continued his superb form from Wednesday to remain unbeaten on 54 with three boundaries and four hits into the stands studding his 28-ball knock. Asked to bat first, the Strikers posted 205/6 with Varun Lavande (43 off 32) and captain Atharva Ankolekar (33 off 19) also posting useful contributions. Patil and Ankolekar laid the foundation of a big total with a 56-run partnership before the latter fell while attempting to force the pace. Shashikant Kadam then joined Patil and the duo plundered 43 runs between them off just 15 balls to ensure a strong finish for the Thane innings.

In reply, the Bandra innings never really managed to gather any proper momentum as their batters seemed to be bogged down by the pressure of the daunting target. Off-spinner Shashank Attarde was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of 3/26 as the Thane bowlers ruled the roost to skittle the Blasters out for 108 runs in 18.2 overs with only five of their batters managing to reach double figures.

In the first match of the day, ARCS Andheri defeated Aakash Tigers MWS by 12 runs (DLS method) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The match could not be completed due to rain which left the sizeable crowd disappointed.

Asked to bat first, the Tigers posted 211/6 in their 20 overs thanks to some power-packed batting by Vasim Khan. Khan smashed 68 off just 33 deliveries hitting 12 boundaries and two sixes. After Khan's departure, Hardik Tamore (43 off 34) and skipper Shams Mulani (46 off 22) took up the big-hitting duties to steer the Tigers to a formidable total.

The Andheri chase was into its third over when it started to rain, leading to a stoppage in play. The innings was subsequently reduced to 16 overs. But a second spell of heavy showers forced a halt to the proceedings when just 7.2 overs had been bowled and Andheri were on 85/2.

Brief scores:

Match 1: Aakash Tigers MWS: 211/6 (Vasim Khan 68, Shams Mulani 46, Hardik Tamore 43) lost to ARCS Andheri: 85/2 (Akhil Herwadkar 36 not out) by 12 runs (DLS method).

Match 2: Eagle Thane Strikers: 205/6 in 20 overs (Sairaj Patil 54 not out, Varun Lavande 43, Atharva Ankolekar 33; Karsh Kothari 2/44, Royston Dias 2/46) defeated Bandra Blasters: 108 (Suved Parkar 18; Shashank Attarde 3/26, Sairaj Patil 2/11, Aryan Chauhan 2/11) by 97 runs.

- IANS