Dharmani guides SBP into quarters

Dharmani joined Raini with the score reading 14 in the fourth over. From there onwards, Dharmani started dominating the stand with some exquisite shots all around the wicket. He surpassed his senior partner Raini in no time and took control of the proceedings to post 72, facing the same number of deliveries.

Though he slowed down a bit in between, he blasted out soon after to hit 11 boundaries. Raini, on the other hand, played second fiddle to Dharmani but never wasted a chance to score off loose deliveries. His 62 contained one six and eight hits to the ropes and came in 62 deliveries. The lone successful bowler was Khem Chand who claimed the wicket of Rana.

Earlier, winning the toss, K.B. Blues chose to bat first on a placid wicket but they were never in a comfortable position what with four wickets going down for 41 runs.

Medium-pacer Tanpreet, who jolted the top order, accounting for the first four batsmen, and later spinner Rajeev Sirhindi’s 3 for 42 helped State Bank of Patiala bowl out KB Blues for 145 in under 30 overs. But for some lusty hittings by Khem Chand, who made 55 off 53 deliveries, and Sanchit Bhatia (22), KB Blues would have folded ealier than they actually did.

GDCA Triumph: At Yamuna Sports Complex, Ghaziabad District Cricket Association routed Chetan/Sumeet Academy by scoring a 151-run victory in the all-India Moonways (under-19) chllenge cricket tournament.

Electing to bat, GDCA made 260 for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 40 overs. Udit Sharma (58), Aman Tajena (75) and Chetan Kumar (39 not out) made useful contributions to swell their total. Kunal Handu was the most successful bowler with two wickets for 43 runs. Chasing a bit total, Chetan/Sumeet Academy boys failed to handle GDCA bowling, particularly Vikrant sharma, who captured five wickets, giving away only 16 runs as they were shot out for 109. Later, Amit Tewatia and Dushyant Sethi captured two wickets apiece to add to their miseries. Amitabh Roy topscored for the Academy with 24.

Brief scores: KB Blues (145: Khem Chand 55, Sanchit Bhatia 22, Tanpreet 4 for 29, R. Sirhindi 3 for 42) lost to SBP (R. Raini 62 not out, P. Dharmani 72 not out); GDCA (269 for 9: U. Sharma 58, A. Taneja 75, C. Kumar 39 n.o, K. Handu 2 for 43) bt Chetan/Sumeet Academy (109: A. Roy 24, V.Sharma 5 for 16).