All India Civil Services Tournament
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: Talented opening batter Aamir Ashraf and promising left-arm spinner Abhinav Khajuria powered Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services team led by Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary Jal Shakti Department, to a resounding victory over Bihar Civil Services team, thus qualifying for the historic quarterfinals of the ongoing All India Civil Services Cricket Tournament (Men) 2022-23, at Mohali, today.
Now, J&K will lock horns with NCT Delhi in the last eight stage at the same venue at 1 pm tomorrow.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Bihar scored a modest total of 106 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 9 wickets in the process. Vijay Prakash top scored with 39 runs off 30 balls, studded with 7 boundaries, while Kapil Shirsat and Anshul Agrawal contributed 14 and 13 runs to the total respectively.
For J&K, left-arm spinner Abhinav Khajuria was the wrecker-in-chief, who spun web around the rival batters with his magical display of spin bowling. He took 5 important wickets by conceding just 11 runs in his 4 overs, while Akhil Slathia bagged 2 wickets. Nadeem Dar and Dr Murtaza claimed one wicket each.
In reply, sailing on a magnificent batting display with the willow by Aamir Ashraf and good cameos by Kapil Deol and Waseem Baba, J&K chased the paltry total easily in 9.2 overs by losing 1 wicket, thus won the by 9 wickets. Aamir, who has the distinction of representing (JKCA) in Junior Nationals, scored blitzkrieg 52 runs off just 25 balls, studded with 8 delectable fours and 2 sixes, while Kapil Deol contributed quick-fire unbeaten 28 runs off 19 balls including 5 crispy boundaries. Opener Waseem Baba contributed 22 runs off 11 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes.
Rajkumar Deonath was the only successful bowler from Bihar, while none of the other bowlers could hit good areas and show discipline.
Former First Class Cricketer Vijay Sharma is accompanying J&K team as Player Cum Coach.
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