Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 8: An all-round batting and bowling performance by Media XI Cricket Club Jammu helped them to secure a convincing win over J&K Pradesh Youth Congress (JKPYC XI) in a friendly night cricket match, held here today at Maulana Azad Memorial Stadium.
Former Minister and provincial president of JKPCC, Raman Bhalla was the chief guest on the occasion, who appreciated both the teams and also presented trophies to the winning and runner up teams.
“I must appreciate and acknowledge efforts of Media XI Cricket Club in setting examples of keeping youth away from drugs,” Bhalla said and added that he will try to organize such friendly matches and tournaments on regular intervals.
He further said that sports have the potential to not only fight, but to defeat any indulgence in drugs.
Aiming to spread a message ‘No to Drugs’, both the teams pledged to inspire youth to stay away from drugs and adopt positive habits, including involvement in sports.
Earlier, winning the toss captain of JKPYC, Udhay Chib chose to field first, but failed to restrict Media XI Cricket Club. Opening batters from Media XI Cricket Club, including Pardeep Singh Bali and Ashu Mehra gave a brilliant start to the team with 37 runs on the board in just 3 overs, before Ashu was bowled out by Divyansh. Vice captain of the team, Sunil Bali made a blistering start with one six and a four, before he was also bowled out while trying to drive away a lofted ball.
However, Pardeep Singh Bali (35) and Faheem Tak (41) took the score to a respectable total of 173 runs, with the contributions from Sunil Thappa (27). From the bowling side, Udhay Chib claimed 2 wickets, while Mohd Imran, Divyansh and Neeraj Kundan scalped one wicket each.
Chasing the target, JKPYC XI was restricted on mere 75 runs, with Dev Thakur clean bowled Udhay Chib in his penultimate ball. From JKPYC XI, Divyansh with 14 runs was the top scorer.
Faheem Tak and Ashu Mehra clinched 3 wickets each, while Pardeep Singh Bali took 2 wickets.