Bengal Advances to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Quarterfinals with Thrilling Win
Bengal’s cricket team secured a nail-biting victory over Chandigarh to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). The match, held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday, was filled with excitement as Bengal won by just three runs.
With an excellent performance from key players like Mohammed Shami and Sayan Ghosh, Bengal showcased their skills in both batting and bowling. Let’s break down the game and key moments that led to this victory.
Bengal’s Fighting Innings
Bengal started their innings with a mix of steady and aggressive batting, setting a target of 157 runs for Chandigarh. Here’s how their batting unfolded:
- Top Performers with the Bat:
- Karan Lal: The opener scored a crucial 33 runs, setting the foundation for Bengal.
- Writtick Chatterjee: He contributed a quick-fire 28 off just 12 balls, adding valuable runs in the middle overs.
- Mohammed Shami: Surprisingly, Shami became the hero with the bat. Batting at No. 10, he smashed an unbeaten 32 runs off just 17 balls, his highest T20 score, providing the late momentum Bengal needed.
- Chandigarh’s Bowling Highlights:
- Jagjit Singh took 4 wickets for 21 runs, dismantling Bengal’s middle order.
- Raj Bawa chipped in with two crucial wickets, ensuring the pressure remained on Bengal throughout their innings.
Chandigarh’s Chase A Rollercoaster Ride
Chandigarh’s chase of 157 was full of ups and downs. The team showed promise but ultimately fell short by three runs.
- Key Performers for Chandigarh:
- Raj Bawa: He scored 32 runs, anchoring the innings during a critical phase.
- Harnoor Yadav: He contributed 27 runs, giving Chandigarh a solid start.
- Bengal’s Bowling Brilliance:
- Sayan Ghosh: The standout performer with the ball, Ghosh picked up 4 wickets for 30 runs, breaking Chandigarh’s momentum.
- Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar: They supported well, maintaining pressure on Chandigarh’s batsmen.
Final Overs Drama
The game reached a thrilling climax in the last two overs:
- Chandigarh Needed 20 Runs in 12 Balls:
- Mohammed Shami, returning for his final over, conceded 12 runs, reducing the equation to eight runs off the last six balls.
- Ghosh’s Match-Winning Over:
- Sayan Ghosh bowled a sensational final over.
- He delivered two dot balls and took a wicket, leaving Chandigarh needing seven runs off the last ball.
- Nishunk Birla managed a boundary, but it wasn’t enough, and Bengal emerged victorious.
Mohammed Shami Bengal’s Star Player
Shami’s contributions with both bat and ball were pivotal in Bengal’s victory.
- Bowling Stats:
- Shami picked up one wicket for 13 runs in his initial spell. Despite conceding 12 runs in his final over, his earlier tight bowling helped Bengal keep Chandigarh in check.
- Batting Heroics:
- Shami’s quick-fire 32 not only boosted Bengal’s score but also proved to be the turning point of the match.
- Shami’s Road to Recovery:
- Currently working with the National Cricket Academy, Shami has been managing his workload carefully. His performances in the SMAT have been consistent, with nine wickets at an economy rate of 7.49 in eight matches.
What’s Next for Bengal?
With this win, Bengal moves on to face Baroda in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. The team management is optimistic about their chances, especially with Shami and other players performing consistently.
