Friendship Cup T-20 Series 2020
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Spinner Rahul Khatri (5-fer), batters Amar (45 runs off 19 balls) and Sarthak (40 runs off 33 balls) starred as Media XI Cricket Club Jammu (Media XI) romped Punjab National Bank XI (PNB XI) by 26 runs in the ongoing Friendship Cup T-20 Cricket series being played at GGM Science College Hostel ground, here on Sunday.
Earlier, PNB skipper Pawan won the toss and decided to bowl first to capitalise on overcast conditions.
Put on to bat, Media XI batters had a slow start as the ball did a bit initially. Media XI were 26/2 after the 6 overs’ mandatory power play. Flamboyant Sarthak (40) and Amar (45) took PNB bowlers to the task and the duo produced striking 69 runs partnership in just 33 balls to propel Media XI to a challenging 158 /7 in the stipulated 20 overs.
For PNB, Yasir took three wickets by conceding 27 runs in 4 overs to remain wrecker of chief while Narinder also took two wickets and conceded 14 runs in 4 overs.
Chasing a stiff 159-run target, PNB suffered early blow as Sachin send opener Raghav packing with a stunning catch, he fell prey to pacer Yash Khajuria.
With improvement in the weather, PNB looked confident with their shots but the short-lived morale nosedived when Rahul Khatri flummoxed the PNB line up and took (5-fer) and reduced the contest into a lop-sided affair.
PNB Skipper Pawan (45) and Amjad (37) remained unbeaten to end at 132/ 7, handing Media XI its third consecutive victory in the series.
Apart from Rahul’s 5-fer, Yash and Sachin also grabbed wicket apiece.
Later, during the post match presentation, Chief Guest, Ankush Abrol-former member BCCI, Ex Ranji player and Member JKCA Working Committee was felicitated by the captains of both the teams by presenting a memento.
Media XI Cricket Club captain Vivek Suri felicitated the Guest of Honour, Gurdeep Singh, owner of Janta Sports provided cricket accessories to the Media XI besides sponsoring a wicket keeping kit to the Media XI.
While speaking on the occasion, Ankush Abrol said, “Media professionals and Banking staff are the real warriors as both have been performing duties during the challenging times of COVID 19 pandemic and both the teams have set a great example for the youth to break the shackles and pick up sports again”.
He later presented runners up trophy to the PNB XI followed by Man of the Match award to Rahul Khatri who bowled a match changing spell and took 5-fer.
Later, Media XI skipper Vivek Suri was presented the winning trophy by the Chief Guest. In the end, Rahul Khatri from Media-XI presented the vote of thanks.
