ISPL: Clinical Mumbai secure ticket to a second successive final

NEW DELHI: Majhi Mumbai booked their ticket for a second successive final after riding a clinical all-round performance to hand Falcon Risers Hyderabad a five-wicket defeat in the first qualifier of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) at the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane on Wednesday.
Chasing 71 for a direct entry to Saturday's summit clash, Majhi Mumbai recovered from the early dismissals of Rajat Mundhe and Mohammed Nadeem with Yogesh Penkar and Mahendra Chandan rebuilding the ship with calculative risks. During the process, Mahendra took the attack back to the opposition with some audacious shot-making, that saw the youngster smoking two sixes and a four for his 9-ball 19. Yogesh, at the other end, was happy to rotate the strike with an unbeaten 16-ball 17 even as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
With Mumbai needing in excess of 24 from the last three overs, the stage was set for star all-rounder Abhishek Kumar Dalhor to showcase his prowess in the 50-50 challenge over, and he responded with a massive six to almost get the job done before Amit Naik got the winning runs with a stylish boundary as Mumbai overhauled the target with 11 deliveries to spare.
For Hyderabad, Vishwajit Thakur was the pick of the bowlers, returning 2/22 while Mansoor KL, Parveen Kumar and Irfan Umair bagged a wicket apiece.
Earlier, Aakash Jangid's 17-ball 23 was the only saving grace for the Falcon Risers Hyderabad that saw their batting crumble under pressure in the crucial contest. Put in to bat, Hyderabad lost their star opener Kisan Satpute in the first over of their innings before losing two more wickets of Padmesh Mhatre and Vishwajit Thakur in the second over from Ankur Singh.

Reduced to 9/3, Aakash and Prabjyot Singh (5) raised Hyderabad's hopes with a 20-run partnership before Abhishek Kumar Dalhor and Vijay Pawle combined to pick five wickets between them, that triggered a collapse helping Mumbai bundle Hyderabad out for 70 in 9.4 overs.
The Majhi Mumbai bowlers were on the money right from the onset, with the new ball pair of Rajendra Singh and Ankur picking two wickets apiece before Abhishek (3/13) and Vijay (2/14) joined the party to restrict the Hyderabad batters without losing much sweat.
Earlier in the day, popular singer Adnan Sami mesmerised the audience with his soulful melodies and powerful performance, creating an unforgettable musical experience in the cricketing extravaganza.
On Thursday, Srinagar Ke Veer and KVN Bangalore Strikers will lock horns in the Eliminator on Thursday. The Falcon Risers Hyderabad will face the winner of the Eliminator in the second qualifier on Friday.