Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 26: In an impressive, colourful and well attended function, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Dilbag Singh inaugurated the Eid-Diwali Milan T20 Cricket Cup at MA Stadium, here today.
The tournament in which 12 teams drawn from all over the State are participating is being organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police Department in collaboration with Simula Group of Companies with an objective to celebrate the festivals of Eid and Diwali through the medium of sports.
Speaking on the occasion the chief guest Dilbag Singh announced that the tournament will be an annual feature as such events apart from promoting game, also play a pivotal role in promoting solidarity, brotherhood and religious spirit among the youth.
DIGs T Phunsog and Shakeel Beig were the guests of honour on the occasion.
The other dignitaries of police department present on the occasion included, SSP Traffic Manmohan Singh, SSP Sham Sunder, SP TD Saini, SP Ramesh Angral, SP JS Johar, SP South Rajeshwar Singh, SP Hqrs Shalinder, SP Rural Rajesh Kumar, DSP Vinay Kumar, Sanjay Mahajan, Asif Gill and David Mattoo.
Meanwhile, in the inaugural match, Simula XI drubbed Christian Sports Organization XI by 15 runs in an exciting contest.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Simula XI scored a decent total of 174 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Atul was the top scorer with 41 runs scored in 20 balls including 10 crispy boundaries, while Irshad hit well made 34 runs in 29 balls with the help of 5 fours. Vicky and Vivek contributed 24 and 16 runs to the total respectively.
Nitu Khokher was most successful bowler for Christian Sports Organisation, who captured 3 wickets, while Ravi Manchanda and Ajay claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Christian Sports Organization XI managed to score 159 runs in the stipulated overs by losing 6 wicket in the process, thus lost the match by 15 runs. Anthony top-scored with 54 runs, while Ravi Manchanda and A Bhatti contributed 36 and 22 runs to the total respectively. For Simula XI, Vikram was the wrecker-in-chief, who captured 3 important wickets, while Hilal Rather and Vivek shared one wicket each. Vikram was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant all-round performance.
The match was officiated by Sadiq Hussain and Madan Mohan as umpires, while Yogesh Sharma acted as scorer.
DIG, Jammu JP Singh, SO to IGP Jammu, Ramesh Angral, Hilal Rather, MD Simula Group of Companies and Rajesh Dhar are the members of the organizing team, while former Ranji trophy player, Rajesh Gill is the organizing secretary of the tournament.
The tournament is being held under the overall supervision of IGP, Jammu Dilbag Singh.
JKP XI will lock horns with Aircel XI in the morning session tomorrow, while Atman Sports Club will take on Vishal Cricket Club in the afternoon session.