![Jubilant PNB XI players posing for a group photograph after registering a thrilling win in friendly T20 match in Jammu. Jubilant PNB XI players posing for a group photograph after registering a thrilling win in friendly T20 match in Jammu.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/page10-1-1.jpg)
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Magnificent century by Raghav and splendid bowling performances by the trio of skipper Vivek Suri, Narinder Singh and Mandeep Singh helped PNB XI to script a thrilling victory by 3 runs over Gladiators XI in a friendly T20 match, here today.
Earlier, PNB XI led by Vivek Suri won the toss and elected to bat first.
Batting first, PNB XI suffered an early blow as opener Rohit Saini was dismissed for just 10 runs. But another opener Raghav was at his butchering best scoring a power-packed century (100) in just 56 balls studded with 10 sixes and 4 fours. He was well supported by Pawan Parihar, who scored valuable 31 runs and Vishal Khajuria who contributed 10 runs which helped PNB XI to set challenging 161 runs target for the rival team.
For Gladiators XI, Kushal and Akshay took 1 wicket apiece.
In reply, Gladiators XI batsmen began in style by starting on a flier and scoring 42 runs in Power Play, losing just 1 wicket. But they failed to consolidate the opening start after the double strike by Vivek Suri in 8th over of their innings brought them under tremendous pressure.
However, recovering from the early blows, Gladiators XI showed signs of aggression when Akshay and Kalyan took over the PNB XI speedsters with ease, threatening the opposition with a dangerous looking partnership.
But PNB XI bowlers displayed serenity, composure and promise when it matters the most, denying the rival team from getting required 10 runs in last over, restricting them to score only 6 runs, thus won the match by 3 runs. Vivek Suri spearheaded the bowling attack with 2/23 while Narinder,
Mandeep, Amjad and Arvind shared 1 wicket each.
Raghav was adjudged as the man of the match for his brilliant innings of 100 runs.