Chandigarh boys lift DP Azad Trophy

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 17 

Ishan Goel scored an unbeaten century before Mandeep Singh claimed a four-for to guide Chandigarh to a 173-run win over Amritsar and win the Punjab Inter-District Cricket Championship for DP Azad Trophy at IS Bindra PCA Stadium here on Monday.

Electing to bat, skipper Arjun Azad and Goel added 74 runs for the opening wicket before Deepanshu struck for Amritsar in the 15th over. Azad fell after scoring a 48-ball 50.

Goel and Jashanjot Pannu then batted sensibly and took the Chandigarh total past the 200-run mark. The 135-run partnership between the two ended after Pannu was dismissed by Deepanshu on 61. 

Yuvraj Choudhary (1) and Nipun Sharda (8) fell in quick succession as Chandigarh were reduced to 252/4 in 46.4 overs. Rajangad Bawa (0)  and Mandeep (1) also failed to make decent contributions to the Chandigarh total and the side eventually closed their innings on 273/6.   

Goel remained not out on 131. His 137-ball stay in the middle was studded with nine boundaries. 

Deepanshu (2/49) and Ramandeep (2/55) took two wickets each for Amritsar, while Manroop (1/40) and Vashish Mehra (1/56) claimed a wicket apiece. 

Needing to score 5.48 runs per over for victory, Amritsar lost their first wicket on 38 — Taranveer was bowled by Bawa after a 24-ball 14. 

Sarthak Sharma did not last long either. He was castled by Yuvraj Choudhary on 26. 

Mandeep then swung into action and ripped apart the Amritsar middle order to ensure a comfortable 173-run win for Chandigarh. The off-spinner returned with the figures of 4/19. He was ably supported by Gursukhandeep (2/15). 

Choudhary (1/21), Bawa (1/14) and Amit Shukla (1/7) also picked a wicket each for Chandigarh.

Brief scores

Chandigarh 273/6 in 50 overs (Ishan Goel 131*, Arjun Azad 50; Deepanshu 2/49, Ramandeep 2/55) beat Amritsar 100 all out in 33.5 overs (Sarthak Sharma 26, Manroop Singh 17; Mandeep Singh 4/19, Gursukhandeep 2/15)