Harris Shield U-16: GE Academy Thrash IES By 210 Runs, Anjuman Storm Into Final

Mumbai witnessed a thrilling encounter in the MSSA U-16 Harris Shield Cricket tournament at Bombay Gymkhana on Thursday. General Education Academy, Chembur emerged victorious by 210 runs over IES New English School, Bandra, setting up a final against defending champions Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English (CSMT). Anjuman had already beaten Sitaram Prakash Higher Secondary School by ten wickets at MIG, Bandra, putting themselves in position for a hat-trick of titles.

In the first semifinal, General Education Academy posted a formidable total of 370 for six in their 80 overs. Sparsh Gholap and Aarush Kolhe were instrumental in this effort, each contributing 134 runs to showcase their batting prowess. Resuming with a strong 215 runs lead in their second innings, General Education Academy faced off against New English School.

Swaraj More played a crucial role in the chase, taking five wickets and contributing with a fine innings. Gholap once again shone with a blistering 101 runs, propelling General Education Academy towards a commanding lead. Chasing a target of 406 runs in 40 overs, New English School struggled to keep pace, managing only 195 runs for the loss of five wickets. This allowed General Education Academy to claim victory comfortably.

Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English (CSMT) put Sitaram Prakash Higher Secondary School to the sword by dismissing them for just 172 runs. Rajveersinh Surve contributed significantly with the ball, claiming four wickets and securing a ten-wicket haul. Anjuman responded with 263 runs in their allotted 68.1 overs, with Ramprasad Vishwakarma and Devashish Ghodke contributing crucial half-centuries.

In the second innings, Sitaram struggled to recover from their initial loss, managing only 134 runs to fall 91 runs short of Anjuman's target. This left Anjuman I-Islam with a daunting task of chasing just 44 runs in their final innings to claim the title.