SHILLONG, March 12: Occult CC took on Metallica in the 2nd Division Shillong Cricket League final at the NEPA grounds on Friday.
Metallica won the toss and chose to bat first. Their decision to bat first, however, deviated from the norm seen at the NEPA grounds where teams mostly elect to field on winning the toss.
Metallica soon realised that they should have done that, but the team could score only 91 runs all out. The Occult bowlers bowled tight lines ensuring that Metallica bundled in 15.5 overs – 25 balls less than their full quota of overrs.
Md. Feeroj top scored for Metallica with 19 runs off 24 balls and Subham Sharma (18 runs off 14 balls) also provided some resistance to the opposition bowlers.
Marty Mustafa was the pick of the bowlers taking 2 wickets while giving away 7 runs. Pynbhalang Kharsati also picked up 2 wickets for 14 runs.
In reply, Occult scored 93/2 in just 14.4 overs to seal the victory. Bijay Sharma (42 runs off 37 balls) and Paras Chettri (27 runs off 18 balls) were the top scorers for Occult.
For Metallica, Feeroj bowled picked up 1 wicket for 20 runs, while Uday Sherpa took 1 wicket for 14 runs.
Bijay was adjudged the Man of the Finals, while the Man of the Series was awarded to Rahul Barua of Metallica.
Both Occult and Metallica obtained promotion to 1st Division by virtue of being the 2nd Division finalists.
Peter Macdonald Kharsawian, vice president, Shillong Cricket Association was present during the presentation of trophies for the 2nd Division, which were sponsored by the family of Late Shri Ratanlal Singhania, in his memory.
