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AMFI organized the first-ever AMFI Premier League, a cricket tournament featuring teams from AMCs and SEBI. While UTI MF emerged as the champion in the men’s tournament, Edelweiss MF clinched the trophy in the women’s leg of the league.
The tournament was held during February – March and saw 56 teams including 33 men’s and 23 women’s teams competing for the title. The players belonged to every age group of employees with the finals played at the Police Gymkhana Club, Marine Lines, Mumbai.
While the men’s teams had 13 male full-time employees of AMCs as members, 11 on-field players and 2 reserve players, the women’s teams had 10 female full-time employees of AMCs as members including 8 on-field players and 2 reserve players. All teams played 6 overs.
The men’s final was a last-ball thriller as UTI MF claimed victory with Noor Azam’s six with 3 runs needed off the final ball of the match. Noor scored 13 runs off 3 balls, making an impactful contribution for his team.
Earlier, ICICI Prudential MF scored 60 runs in their allotted 6 overs with Saurabh Mehta top scoring with 18 runs off 8 balls aided by 2 boundaries and a six. Yash Jhawar also contributed to the score with a useful score of 13 off 10. Saurav was the best bowler for UTI MF taking 1 wicket while giving away only 7 runs. Ameya Desai also stopped the run flow conceding only 5 runs in his over.
In reply, UTI MF got off to a good start with Parimal Avhad scoring 16 off 8 to take them to 19 after 2 overs. However, two quick wickets stopped their rate of scoring until Ameya Bhagwat hit multiple sixes in an over to turn the tide with Noor Azam giving him good company. Both players ensured their team’s victory. Saurabh Mehta contributed for ICICI Pru MF with the ball as well conceding only 3 runs in his over taking the important wicket of Parimal.
The women’s final was played with each run off the bat being counted as two. UTI MF batted first and scored 113 runs from their allotted six overs without losing any wickets. Both openers scored at a brisk pace with Manju scoring 40 off 16 while Priya top scored with 68 runs off 22 balls.
In reply, Edelweiss MF cruised to their target with 3 balls remaining. Prajakta Gharale was the top scorer with a brisk 72 off 14 who took away any hope left in the UTI MF camp of victory. Jiya Patel also gave her good company with 36 off 19. The 115-run opening partnership ensured that the trophy went into the Edelweiss MF camp.
The event was attended by Venkat Chalasani, Chief Executive, AMFI and B M Kini, Deputy Chief Executive, AMFI and, S L Pandian, Deputy Chief Executive, AMFI who motivated the teams and talked about the importance of teamwork and collaboration to the teams. Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss MF was there to cheer for her team.
The tournament aimed to foster team bonding, camaraderie, and deeper relationships within the industry and featured both men's and women's teams, symbolizing inclusivity and collaboration.
