IMPRESSIVE START: Masai Mara Tuskers too strong for Mt Kenya Chargers in Samsung tie

Masai Mara Tuskers players celebrate after beating Mt Kenya Chargers during  Samsung Cup Cricket tournament at Nairobi Gymkhana, yesterday. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The 2014 edition of Samsung Cup Cricket tournament started on a competitive note after Masai Mara Tuskers upset defending champions Mount Kenya Chargers by 10 runs in the opening fixture of the competition at the Nairobi Gymkhana, yesterday.

Masai Mara were the first to bat and set a winning target of 132-10 in 23.3 overs during the tournament that is presented by South India Cultural Society (SICS).

In Masai Mara Tuskers innings, Bravesh Shetty knocked a steady 50 off 39 runs that included five boundaries.

Shijas Ahmed contributed 33-ball 19 while Rishan Paul added 16 runs to hand the winners a defendable target.

Seven wickets

In bowling, Vikram Thampy and Paul Srivasta tore into the Masai Mara Chargers batting order claiming seven wickets between them.

Thampy was 4-18 in four overs while Srivasta was 3-34 in five overs.

Mt Kenya Chargers who entered the crease with the tag of defending champions started second innings with a lot of optimism but they fell short of the required target as they were all out at 122 in allotted 25 overs of the game.

Vikram Thamp was the highest scorer for Mt Kenya Chargers as he struck 20 runs before he was run out by Grish Nair.

Opening batsman Abraham Kadam scored a quick fire 18 that included two boundaries and a six before he was bowled by Joncy Thomas. Other double-digit contributions came from Suresh Moham who contributed 17 before he was sent back to the pavilion by in form Nair while Akhil Boddu contributed 11 runs for Mt Kenya Chargers who have Thota Sreenivas as captain.

Promote cricket

Masai Mara Tuskers captain Shijas Ahmed said: “It was important for us to win the first match because the victory offers a strong start in our pursuit to win the tournament. We hope to win our next matches and reach the final.”

The match was umpired by Marendra Dave and Ibrahim Feedahussein while the scorer was national women’s team ace Margaret Banja.

According to SICS general secretary Roshni Shajan, each one of the participating teams represent an Indian State.

“We’re using Kenyan names because we’re Kenyans and we want to promote cricket here,” Shajahan told FeverPitch at Nairobi Gymkhana yesterday.

Represent Kerali State

Masai Mara Tuskers represent Kerali State, Mt Kenya Chargers (Andhrapradesh), Coast Super Kings (Tamilhadu) and Rift Valley Challengers (Karanataka).

The tournament that is in its 10th year is scheduled to reach the climax with final match on June 22 at the same venue.

Shajan said the tournament also features the over-40 years category whose final will be played on June 14.

The annual tournament is sponsored by Sumsung East African Limited.

Rift Valley Chargers and Coast Super Kings were still on the crease by the time we went to press.

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