Amar Ujala AMCL 2012: Mudra wins Bengaluru leg

Outshining all competition, Mudra Communications emerged as the winners of the Bengaluru edition of the tournament.

Disha Communications versus 22feet

The first encounter of the Bengaluru leg of Amar Ujala Agency and Media Cricket League was between Disha Communications and 22feet. The latter won the toss and decided to bowl first. Ravi and Devraj opened the batting order for Team Disha, but the former was soon sent back for a leg before wicket. Team Disha could not face the stiff bowling attack and folded up in a mere 45 runs. The highest a batsman scored was 18 runs by Raju (off 13 balls, 2X4, 1X6). Rishabh from Team 22feet was the best performing player, as he clinched five wickets, the highest number of wickets taken by an individual in the tournament so far. Rishabh sent five of his opposing team back, and gave away just 17 runs in the 18 balls he bowled. Due to the easy target set, the openers of Team 22feet had little to do. Both Prakash and Sharif scored 14 and 13 runs respectively, and helped their side win the match conveniently. Rishabh walked away with the Man of the Match title for his excellent bowling.

Mudra Communications versus i-Vista

The next match of the day was between Team Mudra versus Team i-Vista. The latter won the toss and decided to field. Opening the attack from Team Mudra, Vinod and Rahul looked determined to win the match. However, Rahul went back soon for leg before wicket. Bhuvan and Vinay of Team i-Vista bowled three wickets, clinched a wicket each, and gave away 17 and 18 runs, respectively. Easo John and Vincent were on the roll when both bowlers grabbed three wickets each, and sent the opponents wrapping up in 37 runs only. Five players of Team i-Vista went back on a duck, and that showed how well the opponents bowled. Team Hakuhudo won the face-off by 49 runs. Krupa Anand of Team Mudra was adjudged the Man of the Match, as he scored 32 runs (off 23 balls, 2X4, 2X6).

Disha Communications versus Interactive Avenues

The next encounter was between Disha Communications and Interactive Avenues. The latter won the toss and decided to bowl first. The opening three players Ravi, Devraj, and Raju of Team Disha supported the batting order with their measured batting. Team Disha set 94 runs as target. The opponents, however, were not as good as them. Team Interactive Avenues, folded the innings up in just 44 runs. It was the bowlers' day, with Devrajan and Dinesh of Team Interactive Avenues clinching four wickets each, they gave away 13 and 11 runs in the two and three overs, respectively. Dinesh of Team Interactive Avenues was adjudged the Man of the Match for his superlative bowling that helped his side win comfortably. Disha Communications won the match by 49 runs.

Day 2 - Mudra Communications versus Radio City

This match brought to the fore the high point of a team playing as a unit. The match was between Team Mudra and Team Radio City. The former won the toss and decided to bat first. Setting a target of 113 runs for the opponents, the side threw up a stiff bowling attack. The bowling order of Team Mudra played as a well-knit pack. Easo, Vinod and Chetan grabbed two wickets each and didn't give the opposition a chance to score more. The bowling attack of Team Mudra forced Team Radio City to surrender at just half the target set. Team Radio City could manage just 60 runs in the nine overs it played. The team lost the innings by a wide margin of 52 runs. Vincent, from the winning side, was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.

22feet versus Interactive Avenues

The next day of the tournament was between Team 22feet and Team Interactive Avenues. The latter won the match and decided to bowl first. Prakash and Sheref opened the batting line-up for Interactive Avenues, and together scored 22 runs. Naveed was the highest scorer at 26 runs (off 19 balls, 4X4). Team 22feet set 113 as the target for the opposition. The highpoint of the match was the number of extras bowled by Team Interactive Avenues, giving away 40 runs, which cost them the match. Girish proved to be an expensive bowler, as he gave away 25 runs (10 as wide balls) in the three overs he bowled. Team 22feet also gave away 27 runs as extras, but even that couldn't help the opponents tide over the target set. Team 22feet won the match by 27 runs. Ananth was declared the Man of the Match, as he took a wicket and also scored 42 runs (off 28 balls, 4x4, 3x6).

i-Vista versus Radio City

The next match of the day was between i-Vista and Radio City. The former won the toss and decided to bat first. Vinay opened the innings for Team i-Vista, but was seen walking back after scoring eight runs. The batting line-up that followed stayed put and supported the team by collectively scoring over 60 runs. Rohan scored 31 runs, the highest, (off 27 balls, 5X4). Team i-Vista gave the opponents a modest target of 82 runs. The chasing team started with a hunger to win, with the opening pair looking determined, but as soon as the duo floundered, the rest of the team buckled under pressure. Abhishek from Team i-Vista clinched four wickets, but gave away 34 runs in the three overs he bowled. Team i-Vista won the match by 13 runs.

Regional finals - Mudra Communications versus 22feet

Wrapping up the Bengaluru leg of AMCL, the last face-off that the day saw was between Team Mudra and Team 22feet. The latter won the toss and decided to bowl first. Team Mudra set a target of 89 runs, with a loss of two wickets. The chasing team couldn't meet the target, wrapping up the innings up in just 66 runs. Krupa Anand from Team Mudra couldn't finish his half-century unfortunately, and got out at 49 runs (off 38 balls, 6X4, 1X6). None except Sheref could stand Team Mudra's stiff bowling attack, and the side soon buckled under pressure. Anand of Team Mudra was declared Man of the Match as it was due to his knock of 49 that his side could muster 88 runs and finally emerge as the regional finalists from the tournament's Bengaluru leg.

For the complete scorecard click here.

Amar Ujala AMCL-2012/02 is supported by Zee Studio and DNA. Cricket Today is the magazine partner for the tournament.