Wicketkeeper-batsman Nikhil Naik's 46-ball 69 helped Maharashtra outplay Services by 31 runs in the Group D Twenty cricket match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy here today.
Electing to bat at the Barabati Stadium, rode on a third-wicket 59-run partnership between Naik and captain Kedar Jadhav (36) to post a challenging 159 for eight in 20 overs.
Medium-pacer Nitin Yadav bagged three wickets, while Raushan Raj and Sumit Singh picked up two scalps apiece.
In reply Services batsmen got starts only to let it go as Maharashtra off-spinners, Shamshuzama Kazi and Swapnil Gugale bagged three wickets apiece.
Brief Scores:
Maharashtra 159/8 in 20 overs (Nikhil Naik 69, Kedar Jadhav 36; Nitin Yadav 3-50)
Services 128 all out in 18.3 overs (Soumya Swain 27, Rajat Paliwal 25, Sumit Singh 24; Shamshuzama Kazi 3-25, Swapnil Gugale 3-18)
Points: Maharashtra 4, Services 0.
