Brilliance from Bilal seals Jotun’s triumph in Corporate Cup final

BY : SYED WASEEM AFZAL.
Bilal Murtuza – the cornerstone of Jotun Paints myriad laurels was at it again with yet another glorious innings. When the stakes were highest and the tough were required to get going, Jotun Paints shifted into top gear and concluded as they began, with a fine 47-run victory over West Star Shipping in the final of the Corporate Winter Cup.

Electing to bat first on the all-important day, Jotun Paints got off to a disastrous start when they lost Niranjan Naik with only 20 runs on the board. However, their star player, Bilal Murtuza (80 runs off 42 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes) took charge and batted superbly.

Man of the match Bilal’s inherent ability to seize the moment proved the major difference as he along with one drop Victor (48 off 46 balls with 4 sixes and a four) set about reviving the innings. Victor too batted crisply and provided excellent support as the duo slammed 106 valuable runs for the second wicket.

More sparkling stroke play ensued as Raj Malhotra got into the act after Bilal and Victor had both departed quickly one after the other.

Raj (69 not out off mere 39 balls, laced with 4 fours and 3 sixes) assumed the responsibility and rose to the challenge imperiously by blasting 70 runs for the fifth wicket with Paul (21) and then another 29 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket with Rakesh (13 not out).

And so endeth the Jotun Paints innings on a flurry at 246 for 5 in 25 overs with Sukesh (3 for 56) being the pick of the bowlers.

In desperate need of a good start, West Star Shipping got one when their openers Alwyn Serrao (26 off 19 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes) and Ashwin Suvarna (27 off 27 balls with 2 fours) put together 42 runs for the opening wicket.

One drop Feroz Ahmed further consolidated the gains and stepped on the gas with a buccaneering display of batting, however the regular loss of wickets at the other end curbed their run flow and put a damper on West Star's victory aspirations.

While Feroz Ahmed led the light with a top score of 67 off 35 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes, there was no one to follow suit and with next best contributions being Sukesh's 19 n.o. and Wilson's 18, the result was in no doubt.

Victor (2 for 36) and Niranjan (2 for 46) were the bowler to share the spoils as West Star Shipping failed to keep pace with the clock and eventually ended at 199 for 8 in 25 overs.

Earlier in the semifinal games, Jotun Paints had outfoxed ETA Ascon by 8 wickets while West Star Shipping overpowered Gillette ME by an identical 8-wicket margin.

Saturday, May 22, 2004.
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