Prabhsimran guides Patiala to title

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 11 

Prabhsimran Singh scored an unbeaten century to help hosts Patiala beat Chandigarh by six wickets in the U-19 Punjab Inter-District Championship final at Dhruv Pandove Stadium on Saturday and lift the coveted DP Azad Trophy.      

Chasing a modest target of 182 runs, Patiala were in a spot of bother at 112/4, but Prabhsimran ensured the hosts reached the target without any trouble. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed a quick-fire 139 and stitched an unbroken 71-run partnership with Fatehveer Singh to take the side home in 37.4 overs. 

The extent of Prabhsimran’s dominance can be gauged from the fact that Fatehveer contributed just five runs to the partnership. Prabhsimran’s 110-ball stay in the middle was studded with 13 boundaries and five sixes.

Earlier, Chandigarh failed to put up a competitive total on the board as they lost wickets at regular intervals.   

Ishan Goel and Arjun Azad added 26 runs for the first wicket before Vishwajit Singh struck for the hosts. Azad, who scored an impressive century against Mohali on Friday, was caught by wicketkeeper Prabhsimran on 19. 

Goel and Rajangad Bawa batted sensibly and tried to put the Chandigarh innings back on track. However, the 43-run stand between the two came to an end when Tejpreet accounted for Goel on 21. Ayush Gautam (3) and Ayush Sikka (1) fell in quick succession as Chandigarh slumped to 86/4.  

Bawa and Tavleen Singh added 35 runs for the fifth wicket and took the total to 121 runs before Aryaman Singh broke through. Bawa was stumped by Prabhsimran after completing a patient half-century. His 51-run knock included two boundaries and a six.  

Tavleen, though, kept the one end up and in company of Jahsan Singh Pannu added another 46 runs to the total. He was stumped after scoring a useful 43.   

Chandigarh lost their last four wickets for the addition of just 14 runs to eventually fold up on 181 runs.   

Tejpreet was the leading wicket-taker for the hosts, claiming 3/57. Anurag Watts (2/31) and Aryaman Singh (2/36) picked two wickets each, while Deepak Kumar (1/21) and Vishwajit Singh (1/18) bagged a wicket apiece.

Patiala, in reply, made a decent beginning with Prabhsimran and Pukhraj Singh adding 39 runs for the opening wicket. Pukhraj fell to Jagjeet Singh after scoring 13 runs. 

Leg-spinner Amit Shukla then accounted for Deepinder Singh (4), Deepak Kumar (1) and Haren Goyal (11) to bring the visitors back into the match, but Prabhsimran in company of Fatehveer ensured an easy win for Patiala. 

Shukla returned with figures of 3/43, while Jagdeep Singh bagged 1/50.

Prabhsimran was adjudged the Best Batsman while Shukla received the Best Bowler trophy. Anurag Watts of Patiala got the Best Fielder award and Deepak Kumar of Patiala was named the Best All-rounder.

The winning team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 while the runner-up were richer by Rs 25,000.