Samad, Jung, Abrol inaugurate Kashmiri Pandit Premier League

Dignitaries during inauguration of Ist edition of Kashmiri Pandit Premier League at MA Stadium Jammu on Sunday.
Dignitaries during inauguration of Ist edition of Kashmiri Pandit Premier League at MA Stadium Jammu on Sunday.

*APCC wins inaugural tie
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 15: The trio of J&K’s IPL star Abdul Samad, former Judge and working committee member JKCA, Jung Bahadur Singh Jamwal and former member BCCI Ankush Abrol inaugurated the 1st edition of Kashmiri Pandit Premier League (KPPL) in an impressive, colourful and well attended function at MA Stadium, here today.
Samad was a special guest on the occasion, while Jung was the chief guest and Abrol as the guest of honour.
On the occasion, the dignitaries also launched the winners trophy sponsored by Martand.
The tournament, in which 16 Kashmiri Pandit cricket teams are taking part, is being held under the banner of Iqwaat Sports Organisation, an initiative of Vishva Kashmiri Samaj.
Speaking on the occasion, Jung Bahadur lavished praise on the organisers for holding this first of its kind tournament in Jammu.
He also threw light on the functioning of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
Abrol while speaking on the occasion said such sporting extravaganzas serve as launching pad for youngsters to blossom at the higher levels, while Samad encouraged budding cricketers to take sports as a career.
Meanwhile, in the inaugural match, APCC got the better of Satisar Cricket Club in a close contest by a narrow margin of 7 runs.
Earlier, Batting first, APCC scored a decent total of 135 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 4 wickets in the process. Skipper Vikas Raina top scored with 39 runs, while Sushant Ganjoo contributed 35 runs to the total. For Satisar, Rahul Koul and Anmol Bhan took 1 wicket each.
In reply, Satisar CC managed to score 128 runs in the allotted overs, thus lost the match by a narrow margin. Rakshit top scored with 33 runs, while Shivam Koul contributed 21 runs to the total. For APCC, Rahul Koul took 2 wickets, while Anmol claimed one. Rahul Koul was adjudged as the man of the match.
The second match of the day between Sharika Cricket Club and Satan CC could not be completed due to interruption of heavy rains. Before the rains interruped play, Sharika Cricket Club were struggling at 44/6 in 12.3 overs. Now, as per the tournament rules, one point each will be shared between the two teams as it is a league cum knockout fixture.
The matches were officiated by a panel of experts including BK Tickoo, Sanjay Raina and Vijay Raina, while the tournament is being held under the overall supervision of organising committee including Rajesh Dhar, Ankur Bagati and Ashish Kachroo.
It is pertinent to mention here that the organisers have invited Indian cricketer and IPL star Suresh Raina to be the chief guest on the closing ceremony to be held on November 30, 2020.