3rd Rajiv Gandhi Memorial T20 Tournament
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Defeating the equally balanced team of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) XI in the quarterfinals today in the ongoing 3rd Rajiv Gandhi Memorial T20 Tournament, the star-studded Kishen Chand Cricket Club entered the semifinals and shall lock horns with Kashmir Cricket Club for sealing berth in the finals at MA Stadium, here tomorrow.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, KCCC scored a fighting total of 147 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. In form batsman Bandeep Singh top scored with 24 runs, while all-rounder Manik Gupta contributed 23 runs to the total. Wicket-keeper batsman, Raman Thaploo played a brisk innings of 22 runs in just 15 balls including 2 boundaries, while ambidextrous all-rounder contributed 21 runs with the help of 3 boundaries. Ashok, Pardeep Bali and Sahil Sharma chipped in 14, 13 and 10 runs respectively. For JKP XI, Naresh and Naushad scalped 2 wickets each, while Saqib, Shamsher and Naresh claimed one wicket each.
JKP XI, IN reply bundled out for a paltry total of 102 runs in 19.5 overs, thus lost the match by 45 runs. Naushad was the top scorer with 26 runs, while Naresh, Farooq and Rajesh Gill contributed 22, 20 and 13 runs to the total respectively.
Speedster Sahil Sharma was pick of the bowlers for KCCC, who scalped 3 important wickets in his spell of 3.5 overs by conceding just 12 runs. Akash Choudhary took 2 wickets, while Raman Dutta, Manik Gupta and Bandeep Singh claimed one wicket each. Sahil Sharma of KCCC was adjudged man of the match for his fabulous bowling display.
The match was officiated by Shashi Pal, Vijay and Sohail, while the tournament is being organised by Young Star Cricket Club, under the supervision of its president Ankush Abrol, vice-president Rajesh Dhar, general secretary Vikram Singh and chairman Shashi Pal, the organizing secretary of the tournament.
Fixture: KCCC would take on Kashmir Cricket Club in the first semifinal, while Simula XI would face Challenger Club in the second semifinal at the same venue tomorrow.