Kolkata, Dec 06 (Agency) Town Club defeated table-toppers Tapan Memorial by 2 runs thanks to Md Kaif’s incredible spell while Tapan Memorial’s Kaif Ahmed’s blistering century went in vain in Bengal T20 Challenge today at Eden Gardens. Chasing a target of 166 runs Ahmed fought a lone battle by smashing 108 off 62 deliveries crafted with 11 sixes and 4 boundaries before being removed by Kaif in the last over who successfully defended the total with Tapan needing only 4 runs off the last over to win.
Kaif finished with 4 wickets leaking just 11 runs off 3.5 overs and took 2 wickets in the last over to bundle Tapan for 163 runs. Kaif who snatched 4 points for his team in a nail-biting finish said: “I was trying to bowl my normal length, didn’t think much about Ahmed batting on 108. I had confidence in my abilities and had faith that I will be able to defend 3 runs.” Electing to bat first Town Club rode on 111-run partnership between skipper Avijit and Purab Joshi to post a challenging total of 165/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Avijit hit a fluent 66 off 51 deliveries crafted with 4 sixes and 3 boundaries while Purab scored 45 off 38 balls. For Tapan Memorial, Prayas Ray Burman and Sandipan Das picked up 2 wickets apiece. “I am disappointed to lose this match, chose the wrong ball, played the wrong shot at the end. When I came to bat we were losing wickets in regular intervals and I only tried to play my normal game,” said heartbroken centurion Ahmed. While chasing Table-toppers Tapan lost 5 batters in exchange for just 25 runs including skipper Shahbaz Ahamed as Town bolwers put up a disciplined show.