CHANDIGARH, July 12: Fighter XI and Tari XI moved into the final of the third CNS cricket trophy after the last league tie at the PGI ground between the two was abandoned due to rain and points were split. The match was poised for a keen finish as Fighter XI, needing 138 to win in 30 overs, were 177 for 6 in 25.4 overs, still requiring 21 runs off 26 balls, when heavy thundershowers forced the two umpires to abandon the match and award one point each to the two.Though both Fighter XI and Tari XI managed to keep their unbeaten record in the league phase intact, Fighter XI topped the tally on better run rate, while Tari XI were second, followed by PGI Club at the third spot and CNS XI at fourth. Tournament favourites Rakesh Jolly XI finished a poor last.The credit for taking Tari XI's total to 137 for 7 went to Ravinder Nain who played a responsible knock of 51. He was in quite early as Fighter XI seamers Iqbal and Hitesh sent the Tari top order packing.Nain picked up his runs in singles and twos as the outfield was very heavy due to dew and launched a final, but decisive attack, in the last few overs. Iqbal was the pick of the bowlers, capturing 3 for 26 while off spinning skipper Anil Kapoor had 2 for 31.Fighter XI seemed in command till left handers Preet Mohan and Hitesh were together but once they fell within runs off each other, the middle order collapsed.However, H S Sodhi and Gurbachan ensured there were no further blushes and took the side within striking distance of a win when rain came piuring in.Brief Scores: Tari XI: 137 for 7 (Ravinder Nain 51, Sukhwinder Tinkoo 20, Iqbal 3-26, Anil kapoor 2-31). Fighter XI: 117 for 6 in 25.4 overs (H S Sodhi 26 n.o., Preet Mohan 24, Hitesh 22, Baljit Rana 3-18).
