Azad, Sikka steer city boys into final

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 10

A solid 157-run partnership between centurion Arjun Azad and Ayush Sikka (68) helped Chandigarh beat Mohali by four wickets and set up the title clash with Patiala in the Punjab U-19 Inter-District Championship for DP Azad Trophy, at the PAU grounds in Ludhiana on Friday.     

Needing to chase the 186-run target set by Mohali in just 29.3 overs to get past Amritsar, which also had 16 points, Chandigarh were in for an early trouble as they lost openers Ishan Goel and Ayush Gautam without even opening their accounts.

Azad and Sikka, though, batted sensibly and after biting some time in the middle put the Mohali attack to sword.      

Azad smashed 101 off 73 balls, including 13 boundaries and three sixes, before he was trapped in front by Hardik Chaudhary.

Yuvraj Chaudhary (6), Lakshay Rakhra (2) and Jashanjot Pannu (0) fell in quick succession, but Sikka ensured that the side reached the target within 26 overs.   

Sikka remained unbeaten 68. His 60-ball stay in the middle was studded with seven hits to the fence.

Hardik Chaudhary claimed all the six wickets to fall in the Chandigarh innings.  

Earlier, Mohali were all out for 185 runs in 43.5 overs after the match was reduced to 45 over a side due to overnight rain.

Kunwarjeet Singh remained unbeaten on 63, while Hardik Chaudhary added 26 runs to the total. Gurmehar Singh chipped in with 21 runs.  

Amit Shukla was the most effective bowler for Chandigarh, claiming 4/37. Harshit Singh bagged 2/23, while Yuvraj Chaudhary (1/50) and Lakshay Rakhra (1/26) picked a wicket each.

The final will be played at Dhruv Pandove Stadium in Patiala.