BOMBAY: In the final of the Pentangular Cricket Tournament today [Nov 25], Hindus were all out for 203 runs. At close of play, Muslims had made 75 for no wicket. All roads led to the Brabourne Stadium this morning for the final of the Pentangular Cricket Tournament between the Hindus and the Muslims which commenced today in bright weather and the stands were packed to capacity with a crowd of over 35,000 when the first ball was sent down.

Merchant won the toss as usual and took the first knock, sending in Sohoni and Vinoo Mankad to open the first innings of the Hindus to the bowling of Saeed Ahmed and Balooch. The start was sensational, reminiscent of the 1933 Hindu batting debacle when the Hindus lost two wickets for only two runs.

An hour’s play resulted in 46 runs, Mankad’s contribution being 353 and Adhikari’s 10. ... Merchant joined Mankad and survived an appeal for l.b.w. from Inayat Khan who had displaced Ghazali at 44 but in the next over, from the same bowler, nicked the ball behind the wicket in trying to late cut and retired for one. ... This was a blow to the Hindus ... [who] lost their side within 90 minutes. ...

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2019