Dainik Bhaskar AMCL 2010: Percept breaks batting records to enter the semis

In the Dainik Bhaskar Agency and Media Cricket League (AMCL) 2010 tournament, the quarterfinals for the Mumbai region began on Saturday, January 30, at the Central Railway Ground at Lower Parel.

The first match on Saturday was played between Percept Ltd and Starcom India. Having reached the quarterfinals without playing a single match, the Percept team was raring to go. It started the day with a six off the first ball. The opening pair of S Mulla and Mukesh W was at its destructive best, as it they kept a constant flow of boundaries and sixes through the innings. A few balls were lost and a few records broken.

The team also set a new record for the highest-scoring partnership at any position, when Mulla and Mukesh set up a 178 run-partnership. Mulla scored 55 (2x4, 4x6), while Mukesh scored 105 (12x4, 8x6).

Mukesh's unbeaten 105 is also the highest-ever score in AMCL. And since he scored it off only 35 deliveries, it might just be the fastest 100.

Starcom's bowlers did everything possible to stem the Percept onslaught -- including bowling away from the body, which resulted in 17 extras from wides -- but had no success. Percept's batsment even ended the innings the way they started it -- with a sixer.

Starcom's batsmen were, understandably, under considerable pressure, as they walked on to the pitch. To top that, they received very tight bowling from Percept, and as a result, never seemed to have control of the proceedings.

Subhash from Percept dropped Ghanshyam in the fifth over, when he was at 13 and looked dangerous. However, Ghanshyam was soon caught by Bala for 23.

All efforts seemed small in comparison to the mammoth target -- 179 in 10 overs.

A special mention needs to be made for a wonderful player - Indrajit Yadav, who is differently-abled and cannot speak or hear. But he can surely do a direct hit at the stumps from as far as mid-wicket, as he demonstrated, resulting in a run-out.

Shailendra Singh of Percept bowled bouncers and gave a tough time to batsmen without helmets, especially Gaurav, who was finally bowled by him at 14 (3x4).

Starcom was bowled out for 87 in 9.3 overs and Percept won the match by a huge margin of 91 runs.

Singh, the joint managing director of Percept, is himself an experienced player and continues to play for Bombay Gymkhana.

The next quarterfinal was between Dainik Bhaskar and Resultrix, with the former batting first.

Hemant B and Dharmesh P set a good score for Dainik Bhaskar, after Pramod B returned to the pavilion with a score of 15 runs. Hemant remained unbeaten at 43 and Dharmesh at 23.

At the end of 10 overs, Dainik Bhaskar put up a score of 92 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Rohan M was the most expensive bowler for Resultrix, but also the only one who was successful in getting any wickets. His figures read: 3-30-2.

Resultrix depended heavily on its opening pair, and they delivered. Waseem A scored 37 and Rohan M scored 21. The team, therefore, got a good start, but just when they were picking up momentum, wickets started falling and the side collapsed.

However, Resultrix managed its game and got close to the target, but finally fell short by one run, as they had to settle for 91 at the end of 10 overs, having lost four wickets. The 17 runs that Resultrix conceded as extras in the first innings proved to be very expensive for the team.

Hemant B was declared Man of the Match for his unbeaten knock.

The third quarterfinal, and the last match for the day, was between Interactive Avenues and Rediffusion Y&R. Interactive Avenues batted first and scored 77 in 10 overs, for the loss of four wickets.

Rediffusion Y&R were off to a flying start, as Ganesh P got busy knocking boundaries and sixes. He was supported well by Rahul (16 runs) at the opposite end, who kept rotating the strike. Interactive Avenues' bowlers also generously conceded 18 extras, as Redifussion Y&R made 80 in just 7.4 overs, without losing any wickets.

Ganesh P was adjudged Man of the Match.

That ended the play for Saturday.

For score details, click here.

Dainik Bhaskar AMCL-2010 is being supported by associate sponsors including Open Media, STAR News and All Sports Magazine. Radio partner for the cricket tournament is Red FM and outdoor partner is Bright Outdoor Media. Online support to the AMCL-2010 has been extended by Cricketnirvana.com.