Pandit guides Victory to Police Shield title

Man-of-the-match Pandit scored an unbeaten 80 and was involved in two useful partnerships. Victory, who were set to score 259 runs in 70 overs, reached the target in 63.3 overs.

Victory’s openers Hemant Kinikar (36) and Mahesh Karnjkar (39) gave them a good start by putting on 62 runs in 21.3 overs. At one stage, they were 111 for four in 39.4 overs. However, Pandit and skipper Jayprakash Jadhav added invaluable 76 runs in 14 overs to put their side on victory path. Jadhav contributed 36.

Then Pandit got an able partner in Vinod Kini. Both batted sensibly and took their side home. Pandit’s fighting unbeaten knock came in 77 balls with six fours while Kini hit two sixes and three fours in his 34. Earlier in the morning, National resuming at 185 for seven in 60 overs and went on to make 219 in 69 overs. Wasim Jaffer, who was batting on 107, made 121 with the help of 11 boundaries. Medium pacer Vishal Mahadik (3-63) and left-arm spinner Premal Rachh (3-49) shared the spoils.

Wasim Jaffer and Atul Ranade were adjudged the best batsman and best bowler respectively of the final. National wicketkeeper Shekhar Bhor got best fielder prize.

Ranade was also awarded Man of the Tournament prize. Manish Patel of National received best bowler and Maroof Khan of Victory got the best Batsman of the Tournament awards.

Brief scores: National 195 and 219 (Wasim Jaffer 121, Atul Ranade 22; Vishal Mahadik 3-63, Premal Rachh 3-49) lost to Victory 156 and 261-5 (Hemant Kinikar 36, Mahesh Karanjkar 36, Jayprakash Jadhav 36, Chandrakant Pandit n.o. 80, Vinod Kini n.o. 34; Sandeep Mahadkar 3-72) by five wickets.