Cricket: CSK, Supreme, Salt n’ Pepper qualify for semis …of GACA T10 Knockout Championship
It was fireworks at the Achimota Cricket Ovals A and B on Sunday, April 27 as the Greater Accra Cricket Association (GACA) T10 Knockout Championship began with thrilling preliminary encounters.
From Group B, Defenders made a strong case, brushing aside Swami Indians by 22 runs. After setting 78/6 in the first innings, Defenders restricted Swami to 56/5. MVP Rahul Cherupoika dazzled, scoring 31 not out off 19 balls, taking 1 wicket for just 7 runs in 2 overs.
Newcomers, Royal Kings Punjab, could not survive the fiery attack of their regional rivals, Panjab Warriors. Warriors posted a competitive 90/3 and squeezed Royals to 85/7, winning by a narrow 5-run margin.
Supreme Battting and Hurricanes
match between Rana Motors and MMG
against Evolve Cricket Club
Panjab Warriors in this scene
Kuldeep stole the spotlight with 3 wickets from 1.4 overs (giving away only 11 runs), while Anmol Singh Virk blazed 60 runs off 29 balls, treating the boundary ropes as his playground.
Supreme Cricket Club left it late in their battle against Hurricanes, eventually scraping through to the semis with a 6-run victory. Supreme posted 73/6, but Hurricanes, riding a late surge of boundary runs, threatened to steal it before Justin Caesar’s crucial 10th over restored order. Hurricanes finished on 67/5.
Charles Des Bordes was the MVP with 34 runs off 25 balls, showcasing calmness under pressure.
At the top four arena on Oval A, Rana Motors made light work of MMG, chasing down a modest 52/10 with 53/3 in just 5 overs. All-rounder Richmond Baaleri was electric, snatching 4 wickets for only 3 runs and blasting 33 not out off 15 balls to clinch the MVP.
Carel Super Kings (CSK) showed clinical efficiency, beating Gujurat Titans (GT) by 13 runs. Led by former MMG opener Dinesh Butola (45* off 27 balls), CSK set a solid 90/3, then stifled GT to 77/8.
Young sensation Carlson Stanley grabbed MVP honours with 3 wickets for just 12 runs.
In a grueling final knockout match, Salt n’ Pepper stormed to a 24-run win over a determined Evolve side. Emmanuel Kemevor’s explosive 56* off 26 balls and Sajeesh Viswanathan’s steady 15 provided the platform for a strong 97/5 total.
Despite Evolve’s powerful batting line-up, a spectacular deep square leg catch by Lee Nyarko (off Mukesh Mohan’s delivery) set the tone for their collapse to 73/6. Mukesh Mohan impressed with 4 wickets in 2 overs for only 9 runs.
Meanwhile, BGC secured a semi-final meeting with Salt n’ Pepper after a walkover against Alpha Cricket Club.
In the other semis, Rana Motors will clash with Carel Super Kings in what promises to be a revenge or repeat encounter.
On the bottom side of the bracket, Defenders will meet Supreme in another thrilling rematch, while Punjab Warriors await the winner between Champions United and Bangla Tigers (whose fixture was postponed due to bad weather).
GACA, led by Mr. Patel, has lined up juicy prizes and trophies for champions in both the top and bottom brackets. Beyond this, the association plans to intensify the gentleman’s game across Greater Accra with more competitions, ensuring cricket’s steady growth in Ghana.
