Karnataka won the South Zone limited-over cricket tournament for the K.S. Subbaiah Pillai Trophy despite its final round game against Kerala being abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Gymkhana Ground on Thursday.
Heavy overnight rain rendered the ground unfit for play and the umpires, after the three customary inspections, finally called off the match at 1 p.m.
Karnataka with 18 points from five games with four wins and one no-result was the clear winner.
And, Goa set a record of sorts by finishing second with 12 points from five matches (three won, two lost) and qualifying for the all India knockout for the first time as the top two teams from the Zone qualified.
With Tamil Nadu’s match against Andhra also being washed out at the AOC Stadium, it was apparent that the result of the Hyderabad-Goa match had no bearing on the final placings.
However, the home team had some consolation after four straight losses when it recorded a seven-wicket win over Goa at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.
Batting first, Goa failed to rise to expectations and was bowled out 170 in 33.4 overs in the match reduced to 34 overs each side because of the delayed start owing to wet ground conditions.
Left-arm medium-pacer Chama Milind bowled well to claim four for 21 while medium-pacer Ravi Kiran and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha picked up two wickets apiece.
In reply, Hyderabad was rarely in trouble with the experienced Hanuma Vihari (67, 84b, 5x4) and Dwaraka Ravi Teja (51, 44b, 5x4) guiding the team to an easy win.
Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Zoysa, Goa’s coach, was delighted and attributed his team’s impressive performance to its very high commitment levels.
“The boys responded really well despite inadequate preparations back home because of rain. There is abundance of talent and all they need to look for is consistency.
“And, to qualify for the all-India knockout for the first time gives us immense pleasure. Not an easy task given that the format is very tough and having such big teams from the zone,” he said.
The scores: Goa 170 in 33.3 overs (Sagun Kamat 30, Chama Milind four for 21) lost to Hyderabad 171 for three in 32.5 overs (Hanuma Vihari 67, Ravi Teja 51).
Tamil Nadu vs Andhra (washed out).
Karnataka vs Kerala (washed out).
Final placings: 1. Karnataka 18 points, 2. Goa 12, 3. Andhra 10, 4. Tamil Nadu 10, 5. Kerala 6 and 6. Hyderabad 4.
