Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, July 30: Herculean effort by Hilal Rather, scalping 2 important wickets in the beginning of the innings to set stage for the team and a miraculous last over bowled by speedster Amandeep Singh opened doors for Simula Bulls to stay alive for making it to the play-offs, defeating strong side of Khazir Royals in a thriller by 2 runs in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Corporate Premier League (JKCPL) at MA Stadium, here today.
Good knocks from man of the match Hardeep Singh and skipper Dhruv Mahajan coupled with a fine bowling spell by off- spinner Sameer Khajuria helped Simula Bulls to counter the superb batting display by Khazir Royals skipper Sajad Sofi, Imran Haroon and Adil Khalil and clinch an exciting victory.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Simula Bulls scored a decent total of 160 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 4 wickets in the process. Hardeep Singh played a brilliant innings of 58 runs off 50 balls, while Dhruv Mahajan and Yasir Ali contributed valuable 41 and 39 runs to the total respectively. All three batsmen struck the ball with fluidity, grace and brilliance. For Khazir Royals, Arshid Sheikh, Jaleel Bhat, Manzoor Ilahi and Vijay Dogra claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Khazir Royals had to face tough times in the beginning of the innings as the opening bowling duo of Hilal Rather and Amandeep Singh were on song and sent the first three batsmen back to the pavilion within 30 runs on board. However, the pair of Sajad Sofi and Imran Haroon played sensibly and consolidated their team’s position and at one point of time put their side in the driver’s seat. But the dismissal of Sofi got Simula Bulls back into the game and it was only the last over which decided the game. Sofi made 55 off 34 deliveries, while Haroon scored well-made 29 off 27 balls. Adil Khalil played a power-packed cameo of 15-ball 30 runs, studded with 4 magnificent sixes. For Simula Bulls, Sameer Khajuria and Hardeep Singh took 3 wickets each, while Hilal Rather bagged 2 and Amandeep claimed one.
Needing just 5 runs from last 6 balls with 2 wickets in hand, it was the heroic effort from Amandeep Singh, which restricted Khazir Royals to surpass the target. He bowled the last over with nagging line and teasing length and gave just 2 runs in it to help his team clinch a thriller. Hardeep Singh was adjudged HDFC man of the match, while Adil Khalil got the award for TCI maximum sixes. They were presented award by Riyaz Ahmed and Manzoor Ahmed, the owners of Cemtac Stars alongwith the match referee, SK Bansal.
The match was officiated by BCCI panel umpires Amit Bansal and Harbinder Singh, while Dheraj and Mohsin maintained the scorebooks.
Cemtac Stars will take on Jumbo Gladiators at 2 pm tomorrow.
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