Patiala to take on Jalandhar in final

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 17 

Patiala registered an outright nine-wicket win over Ludhiana to reach in the final of the Punjab Inter-District Cricket Championship for Katoch Shield at PAU grounds in Ludhiana. Continuing their innings from 17/1, Ludhiana wrapped up their innings on 151 runs. Sunny Pandey and Kashish started the innings and took the total to 77. But Kashish (41 off 60 balls including two boundaries and two sixes) was cleaned up by Karan Kaila. 

Next batman, Sukhjinder (6) fell prey to Rajwinder  but Nikhil Choudhary supported Pandey as the duo took the total to 106 before the fall of the fourth wicket. Pandey (38 off 78 balls including one boundary and two sixes) was cleaned up by Rajwinder. 

Thereafter, the side kept on losing regular wickets with only Choudhary (39 off 55 balls including two boundaries), Diwakar Madhra (15), Gitansh Khera (12) and Krishan (12) contributing to the total. Kaila was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/71 while Rajwinder took 3/105.  

Chasing 135-run target, Patiala openers Prabhjot and Jeevanjot raised 53-run partnership but Prabhjot was out on 25 off 37 balls after being cleaned up by Krishan. Jeevanjot and Sanvir achieved the target in just 25 overs. Jeevanjot was unbeaten on 98 off 80 balls including 12 boundaries and a six while Savnir added 10 off 30 balls to confirm the win.  

Jalandhar beat Amritsar

Jalandhar defeated Amritsar by five wickets to become the second finalist of the tournament at the Gandhi Grounds in Amritsar. Resuming from their overnight total of 187/2, Amritsar boys went on to score 351/5 in 60.3 overs to give 209-run target to Jalandhar for an outright win. Overnight unbeaten Abhishek Sharma hammered 148 off 132 balls including 10 boundaries and eight sixes. He was supported by Arush Sabarwal who was unbeaten on 63 off 39 balls studded with nine boundaries. Sharad Lumba and Rohan Marwaha contributed 49 runs each to Amritsar's total of 351 runs. Subek Gill, Gourav Choudhary, Harry Barwal and Raghu Sharma claimed one wicket each. 

In reply, Jalandhar boys opened with Mansab Gill and Pargat Singh. The duo raised 19 runs for the opening wicket before Gill (9) was cleaned up by Vinay Chaoudhary. Pargat (17) was joined by Taruwar Kohli but Vinay struck again to claim the opener. 

Thereafter, Kohli and Himanshu Sharma raised 42-run partnership to take the total to 74. Himanshu (23) was cleaned up by Shivam Sharma. At 74/3, Abhishek Gupta came to the rescue of the team. He along with Kohli put up a 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The duo took the total to 192 before Gupta was claimed by Deepanshu for 80 off 78 balls including seven boundaries and three sixes. 

Kohli kept on pushing the team towards victory and achieved the target in 57 overs with the loss of five wickets. He scored an unbeaten 73 off 158 balls including10 boundaries. Deepanshu and Vinay Choudhary claimed two wickets each while Shivam Sharma claimed one.