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Pandya brothers failed with bat but Hardik and pacers Lukman Meriwala, Atit Sheth's three-fers helped Baroda beat Bengal by 41 runs to reach Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 semifinal. Shahbaz Ahmed's half-century went in vain as Bengal suffered batting collapse and were bowled out for 131 in the run chase of 173 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on December 11.
Bengal post fighting total despite Pandya brothers' low scores
Bengal skipper Sudip Kumar Gharami won the toss and opted to bowl first. Baroda openers Shashwat Rawat got their side off to a good start with 90-run partnership. Sakshaim Chaudhary got the breakthrough in form of Abhimanyu who scored 37 runs from 34 balls. In the next over, Rawat fell to Pradipta Pramanik. He scored 40 runs from 26 balls including one four and three sixes.
Krunal and Hardik failed to make a mark and were dismissed for 7 and 10 respectively. Shivalik Sharma and Bhanu Pania's cameos helped Baroda accelerate in the slog overs. Mohammed Shami was expecsive but got two wickets with the old ball. Vishnu Solanki's three boundaries helped Baroda posted 172/7 on the board.
Meriwala strikes early
Bengal's run chase was derailed by left-arm pacer Meriwala. Karan Lal, skipper Sudip and Writtick Chatterjee's wickets did not let Bengal dominate in the powerplay overs. Then Atit Sheth dismissed Abishek Porel who scored 22 runs from 13 overs. Ritwik Chowdhury and Shahbaz's 54-run partnership helped Bengal recover. Hardik broke the partnership in the 10th over. Ritwik hit two sixes and three fours in his 18-ball 29.
Shahbaz's fifty in vain
Abhimayu returned to dismiss Pramanik whereas Hardik struck twice in the 16th over to send Sakshaim Chaudhary and Shami packing. Shahbaz ran out of partners and fell in the 18th over. The left-handed batter hit four sixes and three fours in his 36-ball 55. Bengal were bowled out for 131 with two overs left in the innings.
Bengal will now play in the first semifinal at the same venue on December 13.
