Kaif and Sodhi fashion Air India triumph

Led by a combined effort from former Indian cricketers Mohammed Kaif (34) and Reetinder Singh Sodhi (14),Air India recorded a narrow two-wicket win over Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in a match played during 19th All India JP Atray Memorial cricket tournament being played for Pearls Trophy at Government Model Senior Secondary School,Sector 26,Chandigarh. In reply to HPCA’s total of 126 runs in 20 runs,Air India chased down the target in 19.5 overs. Needing 16 runs off the last over,former Indian stalwart Reetinder Sodhi got into his element and smacked 14 runs off six deliveries to help Air India triumph. Meanwhile,Kaif topscored with 34 runs and set the tone for his team’s chase. The match was curtailed due to early morning rain. So,instead of being a 50 overs game,it turned out to be 20 overs match. Deepak Joon Air India skipper won the toss and opted to field. Batting first,HPCA posted a total of 126 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. For HPCA,Under-19 World Cup hero Prashant Chopra scored 18 runs while Sumit Verma remained unbeaten on 41 runs off 29 balls. For Air India Sonu Sharma (2 for 16),Atif Ahmd (1 for 20) and Reetinder Sodhi (1 for 23) were the main wicket takers. Skipper Rishi Dhawan (4 for 9) won the man of the match award which was given away by K.K. Sharma Adviser to the Administrator,UT Chandigarh.

Meanwhile,Reliance-I Mumbai and All India FCI was abandoned without any ball being bowled at Sector 16 Cricket Stadium Chandigarh. The two teams were introduced to the Chief Guest Chander Shekhar,former Director General Police Punjab. Yusuf Pathan and Parthiv Patel,who are representing Reliance-I missed out on match practice in their bid to regain their position in Indian squad. Both the teams were awarded two points each because of the wash out.

Later,organisers informed KK Sharma that because of the non existence of super soppers and adequate pitch cover at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium had to be abandoned. Also,Maruti Suzuki team has replaced MRF in the fixture and they will be playing against MPCA on Sunday at Sector 16 Chandigarh stadium while the second match to be played between Baroda Cricket Association and Indian Oil Corporation,Mumbai at GMSSS,Sector 26.