Lokmat, Sakal enter Super Six

Patariya, Khodke make merry

Lokmat enter Super Six, pile up highest 250 Sakal too make it to Super Six with another win

Nitin Patariya and Amit Khodke hammered cracking half-centuries as last year’s runners-up Lokmat made it to the Super Six stage crushing Dainik Bhaskar by a huge margin of 140 runs in 13th OCHRI Cup Inter-Press Invitational Cricket Tournament at Ambedkar College ground, here on Friday.
At Vasant Nagar ground, Sakal recorded close ten-run victory over Lokshahi Varta to enter the Super Six.
The day belonged to Patariya 88 (32b, 10x4, 5x6) and Khodke 76 (39b, 14x4) who punished the Dainik Bhaskar bowlers and piled up 250 for 7, the highest total in inter-press cricket. After an early departure of Sharad Mishra, Patariya and Khodke literally clobbered the bowlers and made 164 runs partnership for second wicket which set the tone of the match.
Patariya’s 88 run knock in just 32 deliveries was studded with 10 boundaries and five sixes. Khodke cracked 76 in 39 balls with the help of 14 boundaries. Sachin Khadke (32) also batted well.
For Dainik Bhaskar Balesh Tiwari got two wickets for 43 runs.
In reply, the total was never within the reach of Dainik Bhaskar and they were able to score just 110 for five in 20 overs. Only the half century of Rahul Thakur (55) was the main highlight of their innings.
For Lokmat Gitesh Wanjari finished with two wickets for 16 runs. Ashish Budholiya and Vivek Vyavhare got one each. Patariya was declared man-of-the-match.
At Dr Ambedkar College ground, Punyanagari beat Loksatta by 45 runs to move into Super Six. Batting first, Punyanagari posted 130 for 9 in 20 overs with Pankaj Pande top scoring with 42. Umesh Tekade (22) was the other run getter. Bhaskar Choudhary took a couple of wickets for Loksatta. In reply, Loksatta were bundled out for 85 all out in 17.3 overs. Piyush Patil (27) and Sachin Turak (24) were the major run scorers. Punyanagari’s Vaibhav Sonwane (3-20) and Pankaj Pande (2-6) did most of the damage.
Earlier youth leader Salil Deshmukh and secretary of Madhya Desh Education Society Mohan Nahatkar were introduced to the players.
On Jan 8: The Hitavada vs Punyanagari at Vasant Nagar ground. Tarun Bharat vs Loksatta at Dr Ambedkar College ground at 9 am.