Pankaj Joshi stars for Chand Khanna Club

Batting first, Chand Khanna made a rousing start and, first helped by a fine stand of 65 runs between Pankaj Joshi and Akash Malhotra for the fourth wicket and then a 80-run partnership between Joshi and Sohail Rouf, saw them post an impressive 261 for five.

Opener Gautam Gambir made 44 before he was run out but Malhotra (40) and Joshi (86) helped the team’s cause well while Rauf remained unbeaten on 40. Rohin Khanna was the most successful bowler for the hosts, claiming 2 for 33.

In reply, the hosts began disastrously losing two wickets for mere 16 runs but Rathore and Ajay Sharma steadied the ship before they played reckless shots to leave the team in disaary. Rathore made 31 while Ajay made 38 with some sizeable contribution coming from the latter batsmen. Navdeep Singh (32) and medium-pacer Amit Suman hitting 38 with a six and four fours to lend some respectability to their total. Sunil Joshi was the most successful bowler with three scalps, conceding just 26 runs.

Brief scores: Chand Khanna (261 for 5: G.Gambhir 44, Navin Negi 21, A Malhotra 40, P. Joshi 86, S. Rauf 40 not out, R. Khanna 2 for 33) bt Roshanara Club (239 for 9: V. Rathore 31, A. Sharma 38, D. Mongia 27, R. Khanna 32, A. Suman 38, S. Joshi 3 for 26, Ashish Malhotra 2 for 46, Akash Malhotra 2 for 46, Ajay Sharma (Jr) 2 for 55).