VIDARBHA middle-order batsman Mohit Kale hit an unbeaten half century for his county side Wem Cricket Club in semi-finals of Twenty20 Challenge Cup cricket tournament of the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League on Sunday. But the youngster’s 48-ball 64 was not enough as Smethwick Cricket Club, placed one rung above Wem in the league standings, won the encounter easily by eight wickets. Electing to bat, Wem had a bad start and lost the opener Craig Heath on his first ball. Kale walked in and saw off a few balls with opener-wicketkeeper Harry Chandler (33; 31b, 4x4, 1x6). The duo took the score from four to 59 when the latter departed.

 

In between Kale played some fine shots and had seven hits to the ropes. He was joined by Matthew Cohen (45; 38b, 4x4, 2x6) and again forged a good partnership. Wem reached 155 for 3 in stipulated 20 overs. Bowling off-spin Kale accounted for top scorer Muhammad Qamar Khan (69) cleaning him up but that was too late as the second wicket stand between Hamza Ahmed (48*) yielded 102 runs to seal the match. Gurinder Singh was not out on 30 when Smethwick overhauled the target with three balls to spare.