‘Lokshahi’ pip ‘Punyanagari’ by one run to go top Group B

‘LOKSHAHI Varta’ pipped ‘Punyanagari’ by one just run in an edge of the seat encounter to emerge as topper from Group B in the ongoing 15th SJAN-OCHRI Inter-Press Cricket Tournament organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur.
Chasing 167 for win from 20 overs ‘Punyanagari’ managed to score 165 to suffer a morale shattering one-run defeat. Needing 13 runs from last over, Sachin Moon and Manoj Jhariya collected 10 from five deliveries. They needed three from last ball but managed only one. ‘Lokshahi Varta’ camp erupted in joy after Jhariya got run out on the last ball.
Earlier, ‘Lokshahi Varta’ posted a challenging 166 for three from 20 overs. Opener Dhiraj Thute top scored with 73. He hit 13 boundaries in his 47-ball stay at the wicket. Captain Sarang Chauhan scored a fine half century with the help of five boundaries and a six to see his team cross 150-run mark. For Punyanagari, Yudhistir Raich and Vaibhav Sonwane took one wicket each.
In reply, ‘Punyanagari’ scored 165 from 20 overs. Vikas Barokar was the only batsmen to show some courage while chasing scoring 65 runs from 47 balls. He hit seven boundaries. For ‘Lokshahi Varta’, captain Chauhan took three wickets while Abay Dubey took two and Manish Gadekar took one.

In another match, ‘Lokmat’ defeated ‘Tarun Bharat’ by eight wickets. ‘Tarun Bharat’ scored 83 from 17 overs with extras (34) being the top scorer. Only Lakhan Jaiswal reached the double figure mark with 18 runs.
‘Lokmat’ chased down the target in nine overs. Sharad Mishra was the top scorer with 49 runs.
On Saturday: Sakal vs Times of India at Vasant Nagar ground.