Manan guides Chandigarh into final

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, August 16

Manan Vohra cracked a strokeful century to help Chandigarh beat hosts Ludhiana by five wickets in their last league match of the Punjab Inter-District Cricket Championship for FC Mittal Trophy and set up the title clash with Amritsar. 

Chasing a modest target of 217, Manan Vohra and Amit Prashar laid a solid foundation to the Chandigarh innings as they piled on 137 runs for the opening wicket. 

The partnership was broken when Prashar fell to Simranjit Singh after scoring a 63-ball 58, which included six boundaries and two sixes. 

Vohra, though, continued the onslaught from the other end and raced to 107 runs off 87 before being trapped in front by Dipin Chitkara.  

The 25-year-old’s innings was studded with 11 boundaries and 4 huge sixes. He also shared a 66-run stand with Uday Kaul for the second wicket.  

With just 14 runs needed for victory, Chandigarh lost their next three batsmen in a hurry, but Kaul ensured that the side achieved the target with ease. The wicketkeeper-batsman remained unbeaten on 15 as Chandigarh reached home in 36.3 overs.  

Amrit Singh was the most effective bowler for the hosts, claiming 2/20. Simranjit Singh (1/26), Krishan (1/40) and Dipin Chitkara (1/32) picked a wicket apiece.

Earlier opting to bat, Ludhiana were restricted to 216/9 in 50 overs as Arshdeep Singh and Jagjeet Singh shared six wickets between them.   

While Arshdeep returned with the figures of 3/42, Jagjeet took 3/45. Bhagminder Singh accounted for two wickets.

For the hosts, opener Nehal Wadhera scored a sedate 66, while wicketkeeper-batsman Geetansh Khera made 67 runs off 97. The duo also shared an 83-run partnership for the second wicket. 

Impressive Amritsar

Amritsar defeated Gurdaspur by eight wickets in their last league match at the Gandhi Grounds.

Electing to bat, Gurdaspur were bowled out for 87 runs in 31.1 overs after the hosts struck in unison. Ashwani claimed 4/37, while Vinay Choudhary bagged 3/19. Kamal Passi took 2/10. 

In reply, Amritsar raced to victory in 13.4 overs with eight wickets to spare. Abhihshek Sharma remained unbeaten on 38.

The final is scheduled to be held at the Gandhi Grounds in Amritsar on Friday.  

Patiala beat Bathinda   

At Dhruv Pandove Stadium in Patiala, the hosts registered a six-wicket win over Bathinda after Sandeep Sharma-led attack bundled out the visitors for a below-par 120.   

Needing 121 for victory, Patiala rode on Prabhsimran Singh’s quick-fire 49 to romp home in 12.1 overs. Jeewanjot contributed 23 runs to the chase.

Damandeep was the most effective bowler for Bathinda, with figures of 3/46.

Earlier, Bathinda batsmen once again failed to put on a decent total on the board. Damandeep (41) offered some resistance to the Patiala attack but could not guide his side to a competitive score as Sandeep Sharma-led attack made regular inroads into the visitors’ line-up.  

Sharma claimed 4/27, while Karan Kaila took 3/23 to bundle out Bathinda for just 120 runs. 

Mohali humble Jalandhar In another match, Mohali beat hosts Jalandhar by six wickets at the Burlton Park.

Batting first, the hosts, powered by a patient 103-run knock by Taruwar Kohli scored 225 runs in the stipulated 50 overs.     

Barinder Saran was the leading wicket-taker for Mohali, claiming 3/54. Jasinder Singh bagged 2/30.

Needing to score at 4.52 runs per over for victory, Mohali reached home in 48.3 overs with six wickets in hand. Ramandeep Singh scored an unbeaten 90-ball 97, while Taranpreet Singh made 59 runs off 109 balls. The duo put on 96 runs for the fourth wicket to ensure an easy victory for the visitors.