Unbeaten PBCA Clinch MCA Corporate Shield 2025 with Dominant Final Win

PUNE: The Punit Balan Cricket Academy (PBCA) produced a commanding all-round performance to lift the second edition of the MCA Corporate Shield one-day cricket tournament, jointly organised by the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) and Sakal Media Group, defeating Kapil Sons by 89 runs in the final. PBCA remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and also posted the highest total of the competition, underlining their supremacy.

Century-makers Pawan Shah and Sachin Dhas, along with a blistering late assault by Siddharth Mhatre, were the chief architects of PBCA’s emphatic triumph.Pawan Shah’s magnificent 126-run knock earned him the Player of the Match award.

After winning the toss, Kapil Sons elected to bowl first, a decision that backfired as the surface clearly favoured the batters. PBCA openers Harsh Mogavira and Pawan Shah made full use of the conditions, racing to 76 runs in the first nine overs and putting the opposition bowlers under immediate pressure.

Continuing his rich vein of form, Sachin Dhas, who had scored a century in the semifinal, once again rose to the occasion in the final. He forged a 157-run century partnership with Pawan Shah, anchoring the innings with maturity and intent. Sachin compiled 113 runs off 103 balls, while Pawan followed up with 126 off 112 deliveries, taking PBCA to 233 runs in 33 overs.

The final phase of the innings belonged to Siddharth Mhatre, who unleashed a ferocious onslaught in the last ten overs. Siddharth hammered 88 runs off just 45 balls, including four sixes and a boundary in the 49th over bowled by Ajay Borude. PBCA eventually piled up a mammoth 405 runs in 50 overs, setting Kapil Sons an imposing target.

In reply, Kapil Sons’ chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost three wickets for 18 runs. Skipper Siddhesh Veer and Neeraj Joshi attempted a recovery, both scoring half-centuries and adding a century stand. Anurag Kavade and Atharva Kale also contributed with fifties, but none of the batters could convert their starts into a decisive innings.

PBCA’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals, with Rajneesh Gurbani, Shubham Maid, Siddharth Mhatre and Jalaj Saxena picking up two wickets apiece. Kapil Sons were eventually bowled out for 314 runs in 44.5 overs, handing PBCA a comprehensive 89-run victory and the championship title.

Expressing his delight after the triumph, Punit Balan, owner of Punit Balan Cricket Academy and CMD Punit Balan Group said, “This victory is extremely special for us. Remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament and winning the MCA Corporate Shield reflects the hard work, discipline and self-belief of our players and support staff. PBCA has always focused on developing fearless yet responsible cricketers, and the way the team performed in the final shows the strength of our system. I congratulate every player, coach and member of the management , this title belongs to the entire PBCA family.”

With a flawless campaign, record-breaking batting displays and disciplined bowling, PBCA’s title win marked a memorable chapter in the MCA Corporate Shield, reaffirming the academy’s growing stature in domestic cricket', he added.