4th Ashok Sodhi Memorial T20 Tournament
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 5: Brilliant performances from wicket-keeper batsman Ajay Sharma and skipper Kuldeep Kumar helped Kashmir Cricket Club to sail into the semifinals of the ongoing 4th Ashok Sodhi Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament, being organized by Print and Electronic Cameramen Association, Jammu at Parade ground, here.
Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, Kashmir Cricket Club set a challenging total of 131 runs for strong Challenger Cricket Club in the stipulated 20 overs. Though, speedster Rahil Singh and seam bowler Rakesh Koul plotted early collapse of Kashmir Cricket Club in first six overs by taking 4 wickets for just 20 runs, yet a splendid partnership of 53 runs between Ajay Sharma and Satish helped the team to set a challenging total of 131 runs. Ajay Sharma top scored with 38 runs off 46 including 3 fours and one six, while Satish contributed well-made 18 runs with 3 boundaries. Rahul Mussa and Muddasir chipped in quick-fire 17 and 15 runs respectively. For Challenger Club, Rahil Singh and Ashwani took 2 wickets each, while Rakesh Koul and Parveen Singh claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Challenger Club lost wickets at regular intervals and managed to score 92 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 17.4 overs, thus losing the match by 39 runs as middle-order batsman Puneet Kumar received an injury and got retired hurt. Rakesh Koul was top scorer with 21 runs, while Manjeet Singh contributed 17 runs to the total. Kuldeep Kumar was the wrecker-in-chief for Kashmir Cricket Club, who scalped 4 important wickets by conceding just 11 runs in his 3.4 overs, while swing bowler Muddasir took 3 wickets by giving away 9 runs in 3 overs. Satish also claimed one wicket at a crucial juncture. Ajay Sharma was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant batting.
Meanwhile, in another match Cantt Cricket Club outplayed Bahu XI by 6 wickets to reach the quarterfinals.
Batting first, Bahu XI scored 121 runs in 20 overs with Mosin Ali (24), Tushar Gurung (23) and Nikhil Gurung (17) being the main contributors. Gourav and Pankaj took 2 wickets each for Cantt Club, while Khushvinder, Raj Kumar and Chander Kiran claimed one wicket each.
Cantt Club chased the required target in 13.3 overs by losing 4 wickets and won the match by 6 wickets. Sunil top scored with 40 runs including 8 boundaries, while Vijay Dogra contributed useful 34 runs and Parshotam chipped in 14 runs to the total. For Bahu XI, Tushar, Raju, Nasir and Shammi claimed one wicket each. Sunil was declared man of the match for fabulous batting display.
The matches were officiated by Sadiq Hussain Malik, Sham Singh Langeh, Vijay Kumar, Ajay Sharma and Pankaj Sasan.
President Chamber of Commerce, Y V Sharma was Chief Guest on the occasion, while vice president Sham Lal Langar and Kamal Rohmetra were guests of honour.
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