Riding on Sharad Mishra’s all-round performance Lokmat stunned defending champions The Hitavada by 35 runs to enter the final in 21st Inter-Press Cricket Tournament organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with OCW and SBI at Ambedkar College ground here on Wednesday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Lokmat piled up 185 for 7 in 20 overs. Thanks to Mishra who played a brilliant knock of 59 hitting five boundaries and two sixes. He was well supported by Nitin Shriwas who knocked off 44 with the help of two sixes and three boundaries’s Opening batsman Nitin Patariya contributed 28.
In reply, The Hitavada were restricted to 150 for 8. Deval Kakde’s late charge (47) went in vain. For Lokmat, Sachin Rahangdale (3 for 16) was the main wicket taker. Batting hero Sharad Mishra got two for 21. NMC sports committee chairman Nagesh Sahare handed over man-of-the-match prize to Mishra.
The final between Lokmat and the Times of India will be played on Friday at 9.30 a.m. followed by prize distribution function.
Brief scores
Lokmat: 185 for 7 in 20 overs (Sharad Mishra 59, Nitin Shriwas 44, Nitin Patariya 28, Kshitij Udar 2 for 50, Anupam Timothy 2 for 26)
The Hitavada: 150 for 8 in 20 overs (Deval Kakde 47, Nikhil Dixit 34, Susheem Kolay 20, Sachin Rahangdale 3 for 16, Sharad Mishra 2 for 21).
Result: Lokmat won by 35 runs
Man of the Match: Sharad Mishra
