DP Azad Trophy: Arjun leads Chandigarh to victory

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 12

Skipper Arjun Azad hit a quick-fire half-century after spinners restricted Bathinda to 129 runs to help Chandigarh register a seven-wicket win in their second-round match of the DP Azad Trophy at the Sector 16 Stadium here on Wednesday. 

Chasing a modest total, Chandigarh scampered home in 27.3 overs as Azad led from the front with a 64-ball 78. 

The skipper along with Surya Yadav added 105 runs for the opening wicket before he was caught by Manish off Abir Kohli in the 19th over. 

There was a small stutter in the Chandigarh innings as Yadav and Jashanjot Pannu fall in quick succession, but Ishan Goel and Nipun Sharda ensured that the hosts reached home without any further damage.  

While Yadav was dismissed by D Love after scoring a patient 21 off 50 balls, Pannu was snapped by wicketkeeper Sandeep off D Love for three runs. Goel scored an unbeaten 15 and Sharda remained not out on seven.

Earlier, Yuvraj Choudhary (2/24), Gursukhandeep Singh (3/27) and Amit Shukla (3/18) spun a web around Bathinda batsmen.

The trio shared eight wickets between them as the visitors were all out for 129 runs 42.3 overs.  

Shiv Kumar was the top scorer for Bathinda with 28 runs, while Uday Partap Sharan made 18 runs.    

Patiala scrape past Mohali

In another match, Patiala beat visitors Mohali by three wickets at HR Saggi Cricket Grounds. 

Batting first, Mohali piled 229/9 in 50 overs. Anshul Chaudhary scored a sedate 110, while Manav Malhotra made 33 off 50 balls. The duo also stitched a 62-run partnership for the opening wicket.

Aryamann (3/40) and Anurag Watts (3/54) took three wickets each for the hosts.

Needing to score 4.60 runs per over for victory, Patiala reached home in the last over of the match. Heren Goyal scored a patient 98-ball 68, while Pukhraj made a brisk 33. 

Ashwani claimed 2/48 for Mohali. Sahil (1/41), Jashanpreet Chechi (1/33), Harshdeep (1/40) and Anshul Negi (1/49) picked a wicket each.

Amritsar thrash Ropar

At the Government College grounds in Ropar, the hosts suffered a humiliating 175-run defeat against Amritsar.

Batting first, Amritsar scored a challenging 313/9 in 50 overs. Salil Arora hammered a 41-ball 58, while Vashish Mehra blasted 52 off 38 balls. Ramandeep scored an unbeaten 45 off 24 balls.

Puru Sharma (39) and Ashim Kohli (38) also made useful contributions to the Amritsar total.

Kabir Rana was the most effective bowler for the hosts, claiming 3/47. Saksham Gupta took 2/61.

Ropar, in reply, were bundled out for 138 in 31.2 overs. Ramandeep returned with figures of 5/59, while Amit Kumar grabbed 2/18.

For the hosts, Himanshu Khanna made 45 runs, while Shivang Ahuja contributed 48 runs to the chase.

Jalandhar beat Ludhiana

Rajan Kashyap and Azam Nazar scored a half-century each to guide Jalandhar to a five-wicket win over hosts Ludhiana. 

Chasing 228 runs for victory, the visitors reached home with just seven balls to spare. Kashyap made 56 runs, while Nazar made a solid 50. Ridham Satyawan contributed 48 runs to the chase.   

Earlier, Ludhiana scored 227/7 in 50 overs. Jaish Jain and Nehal Wadhera scored 38 runs each, while Jaskaranveer hit a defiant 73. 

For Jalandhar, Arun Kalia took 2/39, while Raghav Sharma (1/18), Karanveer Singh (1/62), Lovepreet Singh (1/45) and Saurav Rattan (1/35) picked a wicket apiece.