AECK face KEA in final – TKM, TEC hope of a win spoiled

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 8: The first semifinal of the 18th Prof Ramachandran Memorial Tournament (RMC) conducted by College of Engineering Trivadrum Alumni Association (CETAA) and sponsored by GATE Olayan Co, Khuff GT&C and Nouri Industrial Est saw AECK meeting TKM (both former champions).

Opting to bat first, AECK got off to their usual rousing start but when left-handed Shameer (12) fell with the score at 21, TKM managed to slow down the run rate with their steady and determined attack.

Only Mahesh (33 — Man of the Match) kept the score board ticking. Wickets at regular intervals mainly due to some brilliant catches didn’t help AECK’s cause.

And when Mahesh fell with the score at 64 in the 11th over, AECK’s later batsman could not increase the run rate and they folded up for a none-too-impressing 85 all out in their 15 overs.

Much was expected of the strong AECK batting line up but TKM with their all round bowling and excellent fielding/catching restricted AECK to a manageable socre.

Riju, Rahul, Mukesh (2 wickets each), Sreekumar, Ajmal (1 wicket each) and Anfar bowled their heart out for TKM.

In replay, TKM lost Ziad early, but Isaac (16) and Rahul (25) put on 28 runs for the 2nd wicket but could not maintain the required run rate. When the 2nd wicket that of Issac fell in the 10th over the score was only 33 with the required rate climbing to alarming proportions.

And with the AECK bowlers not willing to relinquish their stronghold, the later TKM batsmen lost their wickets cheaply in an attempt to match the required run rate.

TKM could reach only 69 for the loss of 8 wickets at the end of their allotted overs leaving AECK deserving winners by 16 runs. For AECK, Rinaz (30-16), Shameer (2-15), Arjun and Munaz (1 wicket each) bowled with intent to throttle TKM hopes of a win.

In the 2nd semifinals between last year’s finalists, KEA  won an important toss and elected to bat but lost opener Govind in the 1st over caught behind of Sandeep without a run on board. Ajin joined Nithin and both of them played cautiously at first.

Only 10 runs came by the end of the 3rd over. Thereafter KEA took the initiative with TEC unusually being lax in their bowling and fielding.

Nithin (57 — man of the match) and Ajin (36 — dropped early on) took control putting away the loose balls and posted the 1st century partnership (108) of the tournament enabling KEA to reach an imposing 121 for the loss of 4 wickets.

TEC conceding 23 extras was an indication of their off color performance in the field.

In reply, TEC was never in the hunt after losing 3 top order batsmen for 8 runs by the 3rd over. Gireesh (30) fought a lone battle but could not break free.

And with little support from the other end, it was always an uphill task and TEC were all out for a disappointing 59 runs in the 11 over leaving KEA convincing winners by 62 runs.

For KEA, Ajin stood out with 2 magnificent catches in the outfield. And Nasif (3 for 8), Ajin (2 for 8) and Nithin (2 for 1) bowled with purpose spoiling any hopes of TEC making a fight.

In the final on Dec 11 at 8:30 am, it remains to be seen if KEA can turn the tables against AECK who had beaten them convincingly in the league stage. Anyway, a keen contest is on the cards with the prize distribution scheduled for 11:00 am.

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