Shams Mulani (centre), Rraunak Sharma (right) and Akarshit Gomel were the top performers for Parsee Gymkhana.

Left arm spinner Shams Mulani showed his prowess with the bat to guide defending champions Parsee Gymkhana to a resounding 129 runs victory over Bombay Gymkhana in a quarter-final match of the 70th Nawab Salar Jung Invitation T20 Cricket Tournament at the Parsee Gymkhana ground.

Mulani, who has played white ball cricket for Mumbai since 2017-18 season and made his first class debut also during 2018-19 season, struck unbeaten 85 in 41 balls as Parsee Gymkhana piled up 228 for four.

Mulani, who has earned name in city cricket due to his effective bowling in T20 cricket and has represented India A squad in Deodhar Trophy, also exhibited his talent with the bat ahead of the upcoming T20 Mumbai League. He represented Shivaji Park Lions last season.

His Lions’ team-mate Rraunak Sharma also played a solid role in Parsee Gymkhana’s win by contributing 47 runs with the bat and picked two wickets after giving just two runs.

Akarshit Gomel also made 49 to guide Parsee Gymkhana to a huge total. Later, the Parsee Gymkhana bowlers dismissed Bombay Gymkhana for a paltry 99 runs in 19.2 overs. Except for Abhishek Srivastav (42) none of the other batsmen got going. Rraunak, Atif Attarwala, Aditya Dhumal, Mainuddin Mulani and Anjadeep Lad picked two wickets apiece.

In another quarter match, Apollo Cricket Club held their nerves to snatch a close one run win against Mumbai Police Gymkhana.

Put in to bat first, Apollo CC managed to put up a challenging total of 171 for the loss of six wickets from their 20 overs. Siddhanth Singh top scored with an unbeaten knock of 74 runs while Abhinav Jagtap (35) and Sairaj Sangle (25) made useful contributions. Umar Khan (4/24) was the successful bowler for Mumbai Police.

In reply, Mumbai Police made a determined start as the openers Arsalan Oberoi (45) and Arman Shaikh (47) gave the policemen the perfect platform with a 90-run partnership for the first wicket. But the other batsmen were unable to maintain the momentum and the run-rate to consolidate their position. Apollo CC bowlers were disciplined and backed by some excellent fielding managed to clinch a win by a whisker and advance to the semi-finals.

Brief scores:
Parsee Gymkhana 228/4 in 20 overs (Shams Mulani 85 not out, Akarshit Gomel 49, Rraunak Sharma 47; Kasim Qureshi 2/36) beat Bombay Gymkhana 99 all out in 19.2 overs (Abhishek Srivastav 42; Rraunak Sharma 2/2, Atif Attarwala 2/13, Aditya Dhumal 2/18, Mainuddin Mulani 2/20, Anjadeep Lad 2/26) by 129 runs.

Apollo CC 171/6 in 20 overs (Siddhanth Singh 74 not out, Abhinav Jagtap 35, Sairaj Sangle 25; Umar Khan 4/24) beat Mumbai Police Gymkhana 170/7 in 20 overs (Arsalan Oberoi 45, Arman Shaikh 47; Shubham Kamat 2/33) by one run.