Match 1: Lisbon Super Giants vs Brother 11

The first match of the day at the Santerm Cricket Ground was played between Lisbon Super Giants and Brother 11. Brother 11 won the toss and opted to field first. Lisbon Super Giants seized the opportunity to set a challenging target, posting a strong total of 183/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

The innings was anchored by Amandeep Singh, who played a superb knock of 64 runs off 46 balls, featuring nine boundaries and two sixes. He laid the foundation for a solid total with help from Ronak Patel, who added 37 off 34 balls, and Nikhil Dhingra, who provided the finishing touch with a quickfire 36 off just 18 balls. Despite a couple of quick wickets in the middle overs, the Giants managed to maintain a healthy run rate. The extras proved costly for Brother 11, conceding 29 runs in wides and no-balls, which significantly boosted the Lisbon Super Giants' total.

In response, Brother 11 had a disastrous start, losing wickets at regular intervals. Pardeep Nangloo was the only batsman to show some resistance, scoring 36 off 26 balls, but his effort was not enough to stabilize the innings. Jaswant Singh was the standout bowler for Lisbon Super Giants, claiming 3 wickets for just 14 runs in his four-over spell. The Giants' bowlers maintained tight lines, leading to a complete collapse of the Brother 11 batting lineup, who were bowled out for a mere 98 runs in 17.3 overs. This comprehensive 85-run victory for Lisbon Super Giants underscored their dominance in both batting and bowling departments, setting a strong tone for the rest of the competition.

Match 2: Tiger Strikers vs Spartans Cricket Club

The second match of the day featured Tiger Strikers against Spartans Cricket Club. Tiger Strikers won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision proved fruitful as they posted a formidable total of 188/3 in their 20 overs.

The highlight of the innings was a sensational century by Mohammed Jahid Hasan, who remained unbeaten on 100 off 57 balls, hitting seven fours and six sixes. His innings was well supported by Ahsanul HK Rony, who scored a brisk 40 off 25 balls. The Spartans' bowlers struggled to find a breakthrough against the aggressive batting of the Strikers, with Imtiaz Hussain being the only bowler to claim three wickets, albeit at a cost of 31 runs.

Chasing a daunting target, Spartans Cricket Club never really got going. They lost their captain, Riasat Azam Sourov, early, and despite a patient 38 off 50 balls from Suman Bhowmik, the innings lacked momentum. Tiger Strikers' bowlers were relentless, with Saikat Chowdhury and Mohammed Jahid Hasan both picking up two wickets each. Spartans Cricket Club could only muster 103/8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 85 runs. This emphatic victory by Tiger Strikers highlighted their superiority and showcased their balanced team performance.

Match 3: Gorkha Legends vs Malo B

The final match of the day commenced at 15:00, with Gorkha Legends facing Malo B. Gorkha Legends won the toss and opted to bat first. However, their decision backfired as they struggled to get going against a disciplined Malo B bowling attack.

Gorkha Legends were bowled out for just 98 runs in 17.2 overs. Azhar Andani provided a brisk start with 16 off 11 balls, but none of the other batsmen could capitalize. Bipin's 17 off 26 balls was the next best score, underscoring the struggle the team faced. Muhammad Rizwan Iqbal was the star with the ball for Malo B, taking 4 wickets for 23 runs. He was well supported by Saim Ali and Sherry Crkt Malo B, who picked up two wickets each, choking the Gorkha Legends' scoring opportunities.

In pursuit of a modest target, Malo B had some early jitters as they lost quick wickets, with the scoreboard reading 42/3 at one stage. However, captain Saim Ali steadied the innings with a crucial 37 off 24 balls. Despite losing a few more wickets, Malo B managed to reach the target in 12.3 overs, scoring 103/5, and securing a 5-wicket victory. The win was a testament to Malo B's bowling depth and resilience in the face of early setbacks.

Conclusion

The day's matches in the LIGA BGA DIV 2 2024 highlighted the varying dynamics and competitive spirit within the league. Lisbon Super Giants displayed comprehensive skills, both with bat and ball, to secure a dominant win over Brother 11. Tiger Strikers showcased their batting prowess, particularly through Mohammed Jahid Hasan's century, to convincingly defeat Spartans Cricket Club. Finally, Malo B demonstrated their effective bowling and adaptive batting strategy to clinch a victory against Gorkha Legends. Each match reflected the intensity and skill that teams bring to the field, promising exciting contests ahead in the tournament.