3rd Rajiv Gandhi Memorial T20 Tournament
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 2: Kashmir Cricket Club (KCC) scripted a convincing win over star-studded Kishen Chand Cricket Club (KCCC) in a low scoring semifinal match, while Challenger Cricket Club (CCC) registered a thrilling victory over strong Simula XI to seal berth in the finals of the ongoing 3rd Rajiv Gandhi Memorial T20 Tournament, being organised by Young Star Cricket Club at MA Stadium, here today.
Now, Kashmir Cricket Club will take on Challenger Cricket Club in the summit clash, the date for which is yet to be finalised.
Earlier, in the first semifinal, KCC defeated KCCC by 13 runs in a close contest. Batting first, KCC managed to score paltry 98 runs in 19.4 overs. Shahbaz was the top scorer with 33 runs including 2 fours and one six, while Amrit Pal Singh contributed 10 runs to the total. Muddasir and Pankaj chipped in 8 runs each. Left-arm spinner Raman Dutta was pick of the bowlers for KCCC, who captured 3 wickets in his 4 overs by conceding 15 runs, while ambidextrous slow bowler Bandeep Singh, who can bowl with both hands, scalped 2 wickets in his 4 overs by giving away just 8 runs. Wrist spinner Manik Gupta, speedster Akash Chaudhary and genuine quick bowler Sahil Sharma claimed one wicket each.
In reply, KCCC batsmen failed to negotiate the disciplined bowling by the Kashmir Club bowlers, who all bowled with nagging line and teasing length and bundled out them for a meagre total of 85 runs. Thus, KCCC lost the match by a narrow margin of 13 runs. The highlight of the match was the outstanding fielding effort by the Kashmir Club players, who plotted dismissal of four KCCC batsmen via run outs. The dismissal of middle-order batsman Raman Thaploo via direct throw from Amrit Pal Singh from point was real delight to watch. Skipper Pardeep Bali scored slow 34 runs in 51 balls including 5 boundaries, while none of the other batsmen crossed the double figure mark. Manik Gupta and Jateshwar contributed 8 and 7 runs to the total respectively. For Kashmir Club, medium pacer Satish was the chief wrecker, who took 3 wickets, while Aman, Kuldip and Pankaj claimed one wicket each. Shahbaz of Kashmir Club was declared man of the match for good batting display.
Meanwhile, in another semifinal match, Challenger Cricket Club registered a thrilling win by 3 runs over Simula XI to qualify for the finals.
Chasing a target of 136 runs set by Challenger Club, Simula XI fell short of just 3 runs as they failed to score the required 7 runs in the last over of the match with many wickets at hand. Anshuman Sharma and Hardeep Singh scored 50 and 39 runs respectively, while Dhruv contributed 20 runs to the total. Off-spinner Parveen Singh and left-arm spinner Dilbagh Singh bagged 3 wickets each, while seam bowler Rakesh Koul claimed one wicket.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Challenger Club scored 135 runs in the allotted 20 overs, losing 8 wickets in the process. Rohit Bhat played a magnificent innings of 58 runs in 51 balls with the help of 5 delectable boundaries, while Parveen Singh contributed useful 29 runs including 3 fours and one massive six. Rakesh Koul and Manjeet Singh also chipped in 15 and 10 runs respectively. Dhruv Mahajan was pick of the bowlers for Simula XI, who claimed 3 wickets, while Hardeep Singh picked two. Sameer Khajuria and Irshad claimed one wicket each. Parveen Singh of Challenger Club was adjudged man of the match for his all-round show.
The matches were officiated by Rajinder Singh, Vijay and Sohail, while Shashi Pal is organizing secretary of the tournament.
Follow our WhatsApp channel