Swapnil stars for Goa Lions

Margao: Goa Lions and Reliance were the big winners on the opening day of the Goa Corporate League (GCL) at the Academy ground in Porvorim on Saturday.
Goa Lions proved too good for Mahindra Rise with an eight wicket victory, while Reliance put it across Air India by 22 runs to start their campaign on a winning note.
In the opening match, Man-of-the-Match Swapnil Asnodkar hit an impressive 50 (28 balls, 5x4, 2x6) as Goa easily chased the 108-4 that Mahindra posted in 20 overs.
Goa opted to bowl first and had Mahindra running for cover. The visitors failed to get going with opener K. V. Tawde’s unbeaten 46 from 55 balls – four hits to the fence and two sixes – being the highlight of their innings. For Goa Lions, Darshan Misal took two wickets for 28 runs, while Lakshay Garg bowling an economical spell of 1-8 from his full quota of four overs.
In reply, Goa Lions easily reached the target inside nine overs with eight wickets in hand. Swapnil, partnering Snehal Kauthankar (34 not
out, 22 balls, 5x4), added 63 runs for the second wicket. Snehal Kavthankar and Keenan Vaz remained unbeaten on 33 and 9 runs
respectively.
In another match, Reliance started their campaign in style with a win over Air India.
Air India won the toss and opted to field first. Man-of –the-Match Nikhil Naik’s breezy inning of 51 in just 24 balls with help of four boundaries and three sixes helped Reliance put a commendable total of 162-9.
In reply, Air India were restricted to 140-8 in their allotted overs.
Krunal Pandya was the most successful bowler for
Reliance with a three wicket haul.
Brief scores: Mahindra Rise, 108 for 4 in 20 overs (K. V. Tawde 46n.o; Lakshay Garg 1-8, Darshan Misal 2-28) lost to Goa Lions, 109 for 2 in 11 overs
(Swapnil Asnodkar 50, Snehal Kavthankar 34n.o)
Reliance, 162 for 9 in 20 overs (Jitesh Sharma 21, Nikhil Naik 51, Deepak Puniya 29; Sanjay Pehal 3-30) beat Air India, 140 for 8 in 20 overs
(Manvinder Bisla 23, Rajesh Sharma 23n.o; Krunal Pandya 3-20).