Al-Barkaat ride on duo fuel

155-run stand by Saumil (92) & Ankit (72) keeps Swami Vivekanand on their toes at Bombay Gym 

Gritty performances by Saumil Malandkar and Ankit Yadav helped Al-Barkaat MMI English School (Kurla) end Day One on 271 for 6 against Swami Vivekanand International School (Kandivli) in the Harris Shield final at Bombay Gymkhana yesterday. Put into bat, Al-Barkaat lost their first wicket (Nisar Shaikh) with just 15 runs on the board. But from there on, the tide shifted for the Kurla outfit as Ankit and Saumil decided to attack the bowling.

Saumil Malandkar of Al-Barkaat school turns one to the leg side in the Harris Shield final against Swami Vivekanand at Bombay Gymkhana. The one-drop batsman scored an invaluable 92 for his school. PICs/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI 

At lunch, Al-Barkaat were comfortably placed at 90-1 in 33 overs. Ankit contributed 72 in 166 deliveries, laced with 13 boundaries before he was caught in the slips by Rishi Shah while Saumil smashed a 149-ball 92 which included 12 fours. Their second wicket partnership of 155 runs was vital. The Kandivli outfit struck further blows as Harsh Pandey was given out lbw to Niel Patade and Aadil Khan was bowled by Rishi Shah for 18. Atharva Nigre played a sensible innings of 32 before being sent back to the pavilion by Nishant Kadam.

Al Barkaat's opening batsman Ankit Yadav en route his 72 against Swami Vivekanand at Bombay Gymkhana

For Swami Vivekanand, medium pacer Niel was the pick of the bowlers with 3-46 in his 17-over spell while off- spinner Nishant Kadam picked up two wickets.

Niel Patade claimed 3-46 for Swami Vivekanand

The opening ceremony to the final was highlighted by the sound of the Anjuman Islam band while former India cricketer Vinod Kambli graced the occasion as chief guest.

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