Thapar8217;s ton in Youth win

CHANDIGARH, Dec 27: Navneet Thapar's magnificent century 101 fashioned Youth Club's six-wicket win over Fighter XI in a league match of...

CHANDIGARH, Dec 27: Navneet Thapar8217;s magnificent century 101 fashioned Youth Club8217;s six-wicket win over Fighter XI in a league match of the tenth Champions Trophy cricket tournament here at the PGI ground today.

But the win did not come without drama. In fact, the scales had been tilting all through the foggy morning but just when it appeared as if Youth Club finally had the match wrapped up, Thapar8217;s dismissal off the veteran H S Sodhi triggered panic in their dressing room. From a comfortable position, where they needed 24 runs off seven overs, it reached a stage where they required five off the last. However, Inderjeet ensured that Thapar8217;s hard work did not go waste, hitting the penultimate delivery off seamer Iqbal for the match-winning boundary.

Earlier, Fighter XI were up against a charged up Youth Club seam-attack plus the foggy weather-conditions. After left arm seamer Dupinder reduced them to 12 for 2, the innings was first repaired by Preet Mohan 26; four fours and Vikrant Gupta 40; 32 balls, five fours, one six and then the latter combined with H S Sodhi 58; 77 balls, six fours to put their side back on track.

After a hesitant start, H S Sodhi opened out towards the closing stages. Alongwith Gurbachan Singh 32 n.o., Sodhi blasted the Youth bowlers, helping Fighter XI to a healthy total of 193 for 5 in 30 overs. Youth Club openers Prem Pal and Thapar started in a whirlwind fashion. They raced off to 80 in seven overs but with the introduction of Fighter spinners Anil Kapoor and Arun Sharma the run rate dipped a bit. However, Thapar kept his end intact even after Prem8217;s dismissal and found in Rajesh Vaid 320 an able ally.

Scores:
Fighter: 193 for 5 in 30 overs H S Sodhi 58, Vikrant Gupta 40, Gurbachan Singh 32 n.o., Preet Mohan Singh 26; Dupinder 2-25 lost to Youth: 194 for 4 in 29.5 overs Navneet Thapar 101, Prem Pal Singh 29, Rajesh Vaid 32; Arun Sharma 2-25.

Godrej in final
Godrej Club beat CNS XI by 29 runs to enter the final of the Aadhunik Cup league cricket tournament here. Arun Tuli 63 and 5 for 28 and Gurinder Saini 74 were the Godrej Club heroes. Propped up the two, plus Manjit8217;s useful contribution 33 n.o., Godrej Club scored a massive 217 for 6 in the allotted 30 overs. Gurinder his ten fours in his knock while tuli hit five fours and two sixes.

For CNS XI, seamers Rahul Panta 3 for 36 and Ajay Sikka 2 for 35 picked up wickets but overall, the CNS skipper must have been disappointed at his bowlers8217; failure to utilise the heavy weather conditions. CNS XI too made a brave, but futile, attempt to chase the target. That they fell short, the credit has to be reserved again for Tuli8217;s left-arm spinners and Vinod Thakur 3 for 29 and Sandeep Sandhu 2 for 27 who were rewarded for their perseverance with line and length.

Story continues below this ad

Scores: Godrej: 217 for 6 Gurinder Saini 73, Arun Tuli 63, Manjit 33 n.o.; Rahul Panta 3-36, Ajay Sikka 2-35 beat CNS: 188 Satbir Singh 48, Viresh Sharda 31, Vivek Jain 25, Jugraj 19; Arun Tuli 5-28, Vinod Thakur 3-29, Sandeep Sandhu 2-27.