Hyderabad Cricket Association President's XI won the Coromandel King all-India Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup cricket tournament by virtue of first innings lead against Goa in the three-day final at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Thursday.
The final's play was delayed by 45 minutes due to a wet outfield following heavy overnight rain. President's XI scored 188 for eight in its 40 overs with opener Benjamin Thomas (46, 69b, 3x4, 1x6) and Arjun Yadav (47, 68b, 3x4, 2x6) batting with freedom and authority.
For Goa, Amit Yadav returned with impressive figures of five for 60.
Chasing an improbable 329 runs from 40 overs, Goa scared the Hyderabad camp early in the innings rattling up 102 for one in 11 overs thanks to some lusty hitting by opener Shagun Kamat (31, 18b, 3x4, 2x6) and breezy knocks by Saurabh Bandekar (38, 36b, 4x4) and Robin D'Souza (42, 25b, 1x4, 3x6).
But, President's XI captain Ravi Teja struck two crucial blows, sending back Saurabh and Robin in quick succession with his leg-spin.
Later, the advent of 18-year-old left-arm spinner B. Sandeep, who scored an impressive 90 in the first innings, effectively dashed Goa's hopes as he first cleaned up Amit Yadav and then in his next over forced Sher Bahadur Yadav to hit straight to D.B. Ravi Teja at mid-on.
Mr. Rakesh Singh, Joint President Messrs India Cements, gave away the winner's and runner-up trophies and a purse of Rs. 3 lakh to the winner and Rs. 2 lakh to the loser.
The scores: HCA President's XI 349 for nine in 90 overs & 188 for eight in 40 overs (Benjamin Thomas 46, N. Arjun Yadav 47, Amit Yadav five for 60) bt Goa 209 in 84.3 overs & 158 for six in 22 overs (Shagun Kamat 31, Saurabh Bandekar 38, Robin D'Souza 42). By virtue of first innings lead.
