JKAP drubs Young Star to lift Police Friendship Cup title

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 24: Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) XI thrashed Young Star Cricket Club by 7 wickets and lifted the title trophy of the Police Friendship Cup T20 Cricket Tournament, which concluded at MA Stadium, here today.
Dilbag Singh, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu was the chief guest on the valedictory function, who distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up teams. T Punchok, DIG IRP, Vijay Singh Sambyal, SSP Jammu and Ramesh Mahajan, Working Committee Member JKCA were the guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, IGP said that the tournaments on various festivals like Christmas, Eid, Diwali etc are showing an overwhelming response and desired organization of Cricket Tournament by J&K Police on the festival of ‘Lohri’.
IGP further said that the objective of holding tourneys apart from promoting sports and bridging gap between police and public is to bring peace and harmony in the State of Jammu and Kashmir through the messengers of peace (sportspersons).
Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Young Star CC scored a modest total of 116 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Sahil Bhalwal was the top scorer with 36 runs, while Vimarsh Kaw contributed 31 runs to the total. Puneet and Parveen Singh chipped in with 13 and 11 runs respectively. For JKAP, Shiv Dutt, Rompy and Himanshu bagged 2 wickets each, while Yasir claimed one wicket.
In reply, JKAP scored the required total in 14.5 overs by losing 3 wickets to win the match by 7 wickets. Pankaj Lada played a marvelous innings of 68 runs in 51 balls, studded with 12 fours, while Ishtiaq and Yasir contributed 29 and 15 runs to the total respectively. Pankaj Lada was adjudged man of the match and best batsman of the tournament, while Sahil Bhalwal was declared man of the series, Kuldeep best bowlers and Ajay Sharma best wicketkeeper.
The match was officiated by Sadiq Hussain and Raman Dogra as umpires, Suhail was the scorer, while the tournament was organised by Jammu and Kashmir Police Department in collaboration with Young Star Cricket Club, under the supervision of SP RK Bhat, Principal, Police Training School Kathua.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were Ankush Abrol, Vikram Singh and Shashi Pal.