It looks tight in the Ghana Cricket Association Division 1 League Qualifier A after matches in week 4 were honored on Sunday, December 22, 2024.
Bangle Tigers became the 7th club to pick up 2 points in Qualifier A after their 45-run victory over Ras Binghi. The Saltpond lads had to chase a 157/10 score by Bangle Tigers but could only manage 112/10 in 185 overs, as the Tigers roared their way to their first victory in 3 matches.
Vinay Sharma MTN won the Player of the Match accolade with 57 (34) and 4.0-0-21-3. Vinay, before taking his first wicket, gave away 8 runs in his first over (2nd over). He bounced back in the 11th over while Ras Binghi stood at 59/4 and dismissed Daniel Quainoo 20 (21), adding 7 more runs to his giveaways. Sharma returned in the 13th over and got a brace, sacrificing Nurudeen Ibrahim and Augustine Quainoo in the 12.2 and 12.4 overs, respectively.
Although Ras Binghi lost their 2nd match, Benjamin Amoah Sampson (3.4-0-21-3), Richard Owusu (4.0-0-41-3), and Daniel Quianoo 20 (21) gave off their best.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), after losing to 2nd placed Defenders in week 1, needed calculated restrictions to win their first match against Evolve Paint by 8 runs in a thrilling match.
It was a day for 8’s, as CSK posted 125/8 in the first innings after winning the toss. Two quick wickets from the delivery of Sanjay Pokhriyal (4.0-0-18-1) wrapped things up for CSK, who had to work hard in the second innings or lose the game, as they managed 3 runs in the 20th over.
Joseph Aboagye (4.0-0-39-0) began to make things difficult for Evolve in the first over, as he gave away just 1 run in his 6 deliveries. At the end of the power play, Evolve had fallen behind CSK’s score of 39/2, scoring 24/0.
Evolve gradually wanted to achieve the target, but as the overs went by, the run rate dropped. Bernard Kotey, however, had other plans that nearly worked out for Evolve, as he reached boundary 6 3 times from Aboagye’s delivery in the 19th over. Evolve needed 36 runs from 12 balls to win, and Kotey reduced the deficit to requiring 15 runs from 6 deliveries.
Evolve finally managed 117/8, and Carlson Stanley 38 (35) with 4.0-0-21-3 won the player of the match accolade. Teammate Vincent Ateak recorded great bowling figures (4.0-0-11-4) and climbed to the summit of the bowling chart. Emmanuel Armah of Evolve Paint also recorded 4.0-0-12-4 and made the top 10 in the bowling chat.
Evolve, despite the loss, lies 4th with 2 points and is followed closely by CSK with the same points and a -NRR. Supreme comes between CSK and Bangle Tigers, who occupy the 7th spot, while Ras Binghi comfortably sits bottom with no points.
The action continues on Sunday, December 29, at the Achimota Oval. BGC bounces back to face Ras Binghi, whereas Defenders set up a cracker against Rana Motors for the top of the table clash.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
