Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18: Splendid innings of 89 runs by Anshuman Sharma went in vain as Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) XI scripted a thrilling win over Laxmi Cricket Club to lift the title trophy of the Tribute to the Players T20 Veteran Tournament, which concluded at Parade Ground, here today.
The Open T20 and Veteran Tournaments, which had begun on June 3, 2013 were organized by Parade Sports Association at the aforementioned venue.
MLA Jammu East, Ashok Khajuria was the chief guest on the valedictory function, who distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up teams of both the tournaments, while Joint Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Kapil Sharma was the guest of honour.
The chief guest also honoured senior cricketers Sant Singh, Gyaneshwar Sharma, Brajinder Singh and Randhir Singh with lifetime achievement award on the occasion.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, LCC scored a fighting total of 158 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 5 wickets in the process. Anshuman Sharma played a swashbuckling knock of 89 runs off 56 balls, studded with 8 boundaries and 3 towering sixes, while Rajinder Saini and Varinder Sharma contributed 24 and 15 runs to the total respectively. For JKP XI, skipper Rajesh Gill, RK Bhat and Shamsher Singh claimed one wicket each.
In reply, JKP XI, rode on a quick-fire knock of 31 runs off just 11 balls by Shishu chased the target in 19.1 overs by losing 8 wickets, thus won the match by 2 wickets. Akshay Khajuria scored valuable 32 runs off 24 balls, while Rajesh Gill, Prashant and Shamsher Singh Manhas contributed 23, 24 and 22 runs to the total respectively. For LCC, Anshuman and Aman took 2 wickets each, while Ajit Singh and Ashok Gupta claimed one wicket each. For his brisk knock of 31 runs, Shishu of JKP XI was adjudged man of the match. Rajesh Gill bagged the man of the series and best bowler award, while Anshuman claimed the best batsman award. Ravi Abrol of Advocates XI was named outstanding player of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Manik Gupta was adjudged man of the series in Open tournament, Manik Gupta of KCCC was adjudged man of the series and best batsman, while Deepak Singh Manhas got the best bowler award. Sahil Gupta and Tushar Gurang got excellent player and best fielder awards respectively.
Later-on, speaking on the occasion, chief guest Ashok Khajuria while lavishing praise on the organizers, assured them of establishing sheds on the stairs of Parade Ground.
The match was officiated by J D singh and Sadiq Hussian Malik as umpires, while Ajay Sharma was the scorer . Dr Karan Nayar was the official physio therapist and HarshNayar was the organizing Secretary of the tournament.