Jammu Premier League T20 Tawi Cup
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: Defeating the equally balanced team of Reasi Royals by 22 runs in a well fought contest, Poonch Thunderbolts team, which inflicted an upset defeat over strong Jammu Royals yesterday sailed into the semifinals of the ongoing Jammu Premier League T20 Tawi Cup at Sports Stadium Poonch today.
Earlier, batting first, Poonch Thunderbolts scored a decent total of 146 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 4 wickets in the process. Wasim Raja played a splendid innings of 64 runs with the help of five fours and four sixes, while Parvez Malik contributed 29 runs including 2 fours and 3 sixes. For Reasi Royals, Nishu took 2 wickets, while Imtiyaz Malik and Ajaz claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Reasi Royals managed to score 124 runs in the allotted overs by losing 9 wickets, thus lost the match by 22 runs. Nishu top scored with 37 runs including 2 fours and 2 sixes, while Imtiyaz Malik contributed 29 runs to the total. Ajaz Bhatti, Rupinder and Imran captured 2 wickets apiece for Poonch Thunderbolts. Wasim Raja was adjudged man of the match for his fabulous batting display.
Meanwhile, rain played spoilsport in another quarterfinal match between Jammu Riders and Jammu Royals scheduled to be played at Sports Stadium Reasi, today. The overnight rains had deteriorated the condition of the ground, especially the pitch and the surrounding area. Though, the organizers tried their level best to make the ground playable by draining water, pouring saw dust and applying ring to level the surface of the wicket, yet the pitch turned hostile when Jammu Royals speedsters Rahil Singh and Vishwajeet Singh started proceedings against Jammu Riders openers-Shubam Khajuria and Hilal Rather. The duo had bowled only 2.2 overs, with 9 balls that jumped unevenly from good-length spot, when the field umpires along with the two captains and the ‘Jury of Appeal’ of the organizers decided to stop the match because of the dangerous and unplayable conditions. The match has now been shifted to MA Stadium Jammu and would be played from 2pm tomorrow. The Jury comprised of Dr Swaran Singh Chib, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Reasi, Major Aditya including the technical officials Rajesh Dhar, Saleem-ur-Rehman, Sadiq Hussain and Pankaj Sasan.