Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 27: Simula Cricket Club registered a narrow win over Mayank Goswami Cricket Academy (MGCA) in the opening tie of the J&K Police Friendship Cup, which got underway at MA Stadium, here today.
Ramesh Mahajan, former Working president Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association was the chief guest on the opening ceremony and declared the tournament open in a simple function, which among others was attended by president of host Young Star Cricket Club (YSCC) and working committee member JKCA, Ankush Abrol, general secretary YSCC and chairman YSCC Shashi Pal.
The tournament is being jointly organized by the J&K Police Department, Simula Software and Young Star Cricket Club, under the supervision of RK Bhat, organizing secretary.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, MGCA scored a modest total of 129 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 5 wickets in the process. Yudamanyu scored patient 40 runs off 51 balls, studded with 5 boundaries, while Vjay Dogra contributed valuable 26 runs off 19 balls with the help of 5 fours. Surya also chipped in 23 runs in 16 ball with 3 hits to the fence. For Simula Club, Vikram bagged 2 wickets by conceding 25 runs in his 4 overs, while Hilal Rather, Sameer Khajuria and Mohit Puri claimed one wicket each.
Simula Club, in reply, reached the target in 19.2 overs by losing 7 wickets, thus won the match by 3 wickets. Vivek Thappa was the top scorer with brisk 45 runs, which included 4 fours and 2 sixes, Sanju and Hilal Rather contributed 32 and 17 runs to the winning cause. Both these batsmen hit 3 boundaries each. Rohit and Ajay took 2 wickets each for MGCA, while Vijay Dogra and Arjun claimed one wicket each. Vivek Thappa of Simula Club was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant knock.
The match was officiated by Sandeep Manchanda and Rajinder Singh as umpires, while Sohail acted as scorer.