*Hardeep bags MoM; Pardeep, Vijay, Thaploo win special awards
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: Outplaying star-studded Kishen Chand Cricket Club (KCCC) convincingly in the summit clash by 84 runs, the formidable side of New Challengers Cricket Club lifted the title trophy of the Jammu and Kashmir Premier League (JKPL) T20 Cricket Tournament at GGM Science College Hostel ground, here today.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, New Challengers Club scored a decent total of 165 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 7 wickets in the process. Hardeep Singh played a brilliant innings of unbeaten 76 runs off 48 balls, while Manjeet Singh contributed with quick-fire 30 runs off just 16 balls. Vijay Dogra also chipped in with brisk 15 runs. For KCCC, Sahil Sharma took 3 wickets, while Manik Gupta, Akash Choudhary and Pardeep Bali shared 1 wicket each.
In reply, KCCC got bundled out for a paltry total of 81 runs as only three batsmen crossed the double figure mark, with Sameer Kahjuria scoring highest 30 runs and Dhruv Mahajan and Sahil Sharma chipping in with 15 and 11 runs respectively. Right-arm wrist spinner, Deepak Singh Manhas was the pick of the bowlers for New Challengers Club, scalping 4 important wickets, while left-arm spinner, Vijay Dogra took 3 wickets. Ramdayal and Sunit claimed one wicket each. Hardeep Singh of New Challengers Club was adjudged as man of the match for his splendid batting display, while Pardeep Bali of KCCC was declared as man of the series and best batsman of the Tournament. Vijay Dogra of New Challengers Club was declared best bowler, while Raman Thaploo was adjudged best wicketkeeper of the Tournament.
The match was officiated by Sadiq Hussain Malik and Suhail Yousuf as umpires, while Sahil Bhal acted as the scorer.
Former Minister, Sham Lal Sharma was the chief guest on the valedictory function, who distributed prizes among the winners and runner-up teams. Dharamvir Singh, Ex Deputy Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation and Romesh Mahajan, former chairman JKCA were the guests of honour. Vinod Choudhary from Vilas and Renolt was the special guest.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were Ankush Abrol, member BCCI and JKCA Working Committee, Sanjeev Sharma, Rajesh Dhar, JKCA Working Committee member, Vikram Singh, former Ranji Trophy player, R P Singh, Arun Dogra and Shashi Paul, organizing secretary of the Tournament.