‘Friendship Cup T-20 Series 2020’
*Sports vital for Media, Bank officials to fight pandemic: Abrol
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 13: Spinner Rahul Khatri (5-for), batters Amar (45 runs off 19 balls) and Sarthak (40 runs off 33 balls) starred as Media XI Cricket Club Jammu (Media XI) trounced Punjab National Bank XI (PNB XI) by 26 runs in the ongoing ‘Friendship Cup T-20 Cricket series’ being played at GGM Science College Hostel Ground, here today.
Earlier, PNB skipper Pawan won the toss and decided to bowl first to capitalise on overcast conditions. Put on to bat, Media XI batters had a slow start as the ball did a bit initially. Media XI were 26 / 2 after the 6 overs’ mandatory power play. Flamboyant Sarthak (40) and Amar (45) took PNB bowlers to the task and the duo produced striking 69 runs partnership in just 33 balls to propel Media XI to a challenging 158 /7 in the stipulated 20 overs.
For PNB, Yasir took three wickets by conceding 27 runs and remained wrecker of chief while Narinder also took two wickets and conceded 14 runs in four overs.
Chasing a stiff 159-run target, PNB suffered early blow as Sachin send opener Raghav packing with a stunning catch, he fell prey to pacer Yash Khajuria.
With improvement in the weather, PNB looked confident with their shots but the short-lived morale nosedived when Rahul Khatri flummoxed the PNB line up and took five wickets and reduced the contest into a lop-sided affair. PNB skipper Pawan (45) and Amjad (37) remained unbeaten to end at 132/ 7, handing Media XI its third consecutive victory in the series. Apart from Rahul’s 5-wickets haul, Yash and Sachin also shared wicket apiece.
Later, Ankush Abrol -former member BCCI, ex Ranji player and member JKCA working committee was felicitated by the captains of both the teams by presenting a memento. Media XI captain Vivek Suri felicitated the guest of honour, Gurdeep Singh, owner of Janta Sports for providing cricket accessories and sponsoring a wicket keeping kit to the Media XI team.
While speaking on the occasion Ankush Abrol said, “Media professionals and Banking staff are the real warriors as both have been performing duties during the challenging times of COVID-19 pandemic. He later presented runners up trophy to the PNB XI, followed by Man of the Match award to Rahul Khatri.
Later, Media XI skipper Vivek Suri was presented the winning trophy by the chief guest. In the end, Rahul Khatri from Media-XI presented the vote of thanks.
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