Lokmat emerge inter-press cricket champion

Shock defending champion TOI by five runs

In a cliff-hanger Lokmat shocked defending champion The Times of India by five runs to win 22^nd OCW-SJAN Inter-Press Cricket Tournament at Dr Ambedkar College ground, here on Thursday.

The tournament was organised in association with SBI and HCL Technologies.

Batting first Lokmat scored 150 for six wickets in 20 overs. Thanks to middle order batsman Nitin Shriwas who slammed match winning 72 in 50 balls with the help of four boundaries and three sixes and ensured Lokmat to achieve 150-run mark. He was well supported by Sachin Khadke (26, 30b, 2x4) and Sarang Walujnkar (14*, 10 b, 1x4). Opener Sharad Mishra (14) was another main scorer.

For TOI, Rammurti Nerley claimed two wickets for 23 runs. Sanndeep Dabhekar, Piyush Patil, Sandeep Wwardhane and Vinay Pande were chipped in with one wicket each.

In reply, The TOI missed the target by just five runs despite Vinay Pande's fighting (67, 52b, 8x4). Pratik Siddharth (30, 29b, 2x4) and Rpesh Bhaik (24, 16 b, 2x4) were other scorers.

For Lokmat Sahcin Khadke (3 for 20) who bowled last over in pressure situation and propelled Lokmat into the victory was the pick of the bowlers. Pravin Lokhande and Sharad Mishra too bowled well and captured two each.

CEO of OCW Sanjay Roy, GM of State Bank of India Devendra Kumar, DGM Chandrashekhar, regional manager Fanish Gupta, head finance services of HCL Technologies Gaurishannkar , noted sports organiser Anil Ahirkar, director of St. Paul School Rajabhau Tanksale and BSC vice-president CP Karkar distributed the prizes.

SJAN president Kishor Bagde made introductory remarks. Dr Ram Thakur conducted the proceedings and also proposed a vote of thanks.

Individual prizes

Man-of-the-series: Nitin Pataria (Lokmat), best batsman: Pratik Siddharth (The Times of India), best bowler: Mannu Bawa (Tarun Bharat), best wicket-keeper: Pratik Siddharth, man-of-the-final: Nitin Shriwas (Lokmat).

Brief scores

Lokmat: 150 for 6 in 20 overs (Nitin Shriwas 72, Sachin Khadke 26, Sharad Mishra 14, Sarang Walunjkar 14 not out, Rammmurti Nerley 2 for 23)

The Times of India: 145 for 8 in 20 overs (Vinay Pande 67, Pratik Siddharth 30, Rupesh Bhaik 24, Sachin Khadke 3 for 20, Sharad Mishra 2 for 30, Pravin Lokhande 2 for 25)

Result: Lokmat won by five runs

London 2012 Olympics bronze medal winner Yogeshwar Dutt in city

OCW-SJAN Inter-Press cricket tourney from Feb 5

The 22nd edition of OCW-SJAN Inter-Press Invitational Twenty-20 Cricket tournament, organized by the Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Orange City Water (OCW) and HCL, will be held from February 5 to 27.

In all, nine teams are participating in the tourney and they have been equally divided in three groups.

Group ‘A’ include defending champions The Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar and Punya Nagari. The Group ‘B’ consists of last year’s runners-up Lokmat, Sakal and Deshonnati, while Hitavada, Loksatta-Indian Express and Tarun Bharat are clubbed in Group ‘C’.

Top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Six stage. The league matches will be played at the Vasant Nagar ground and from February 15, the Super Six matches, semifinals and final will be played at the Ambedkar College ground.

In the opening match, defending champions Times of India will face Punya Nagari on Wednesday at the Vasant Nagar ground at 9 am.

White balls sponsored by Sports Link will be used in the tournament. On Tuesday, OCW and HCL officials will distribute the playing kit to all the nine teams at the SJAN office, Vivekanand Nagar, at 10 am.