Shami-inspired Himanshu claims 5-44

Himanshu Singh at Hindu Gymkhana. Pic/Atul Kamble

Inspired by Indian speedster Mohammed Shami, General Education Academy's (Chembur) medium pacer Himanshu Singh, 15, claimed 5-44 to dismiss defending champions Swami Vivekanand International School (Kandivli) for a paltry 131 in 44.2 overs on the first day of their two-day Group A quarter-final play-off league match at the Hindu Gymkhana on Thursday.

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Swami Vivekanand replied strongly and reduced General Education to 94-5 before draw of stumps. Opener Hrugved More scored 45 runs while Swami Vivekanand's off-spinner Prasoon Singh and leg-spinner Adwait Raut claimed two wickets each. "It's always feels nice to take five wickets in a match and especially in an important quarter-final playoff against the defending champions. I was inspired by speedster Mohammed Shami, whose match-winning effort (7 for 57) helped India seal a 70-run semi-final win against New Zealand yesterday.

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"I did not watch the whole match, but saw Shami take the first two wickets and today before coming for our game I read in the newspapers that he took seven wickets and I told myself that I can do something like him," Himanshu told mid-day.