A.G. West Bengal stormed into the semifinals defeating A.G. Chandigarh by 51 Runs wickets, to setup a semifinal clash with A.G. Tamil Nadu who had a comfortable win over A.G. Rajkot, Gujarat by 5 Wickets, while A.G. Jammu & Kashmir got the better off of last years runners up A.G. Odisha defeating them by 25 runs to setup their semifinal clash with A.G. Rajasthan who thrashed A.G. Kerala by 35 runs, in the ongoing Indian Audit & Accounts Department (IA&AD) Inter Zonal Cricket Tournament, 2023 which is being conducted under the aegis of Accountant General Recreation Club (AGRC) of the Office of The Accountant General (Audit) II, Maharashtra, The finals is slated for 31st March 2023 at VCA Stadium, Civil Lines, Nagpur.
In the Inaugural match, between A.G. West Bengal and A.G. Chandigarh played at VCA Stadium, Civil Lines,. Electing to bat first, A.G West Bengal made 186/6 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to a quick fire 57 off 35 balls (7×4, 1×6) by opener Abhishek Kumar Raman and Gittimoy Basu 56 off 30 balls (3×4, 3×6) and 3 wkts by Prayas Roy Barman and 2 wickets apiece by Sayan Ghoshand Vivek Kumar Singh saw A.G. West Bengal clinch the semifinal Berth. However, A.G. Chandigarh could only muster 135 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs, AmitParashar being the top scorer with 49 runs for A.G. Chandigarh. A.G. Chandigarh kept loosing the Wickets at regular intervals and could not cope up with the asking rate and A.G. West Bengal won by 51 runs. AbhishekKumar Raman was named man of the Match.
In another quarter final match played at Dr. Ambedkar College Ground, Deekshabhoomi, between last year runner up A.G. Odisha and A.G. Jammu & Kashmir, opting to bat first, A.G. Jammu & Kashmir made 144/6 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to Paras Sharma(41), Mani Sharma (31) and Abid Mushtaq (25). Debobrata Pradhantook 2 for 27 for A.G. Odisha. In reply, A.G. could manage only 119/8 in their allotted 20 overs, BiplabSamantray made 63 off 48 ball (3×4, 4×6), but his lone knock went in vain as only two other batsman could get into double figures 12 & 18 for A.G. Odisha. Mohd, Mudassir and Wasim Raza took 2 wickets apiece for A.G. Jammu & Kashmir. A.G. Jammu & Kashmir won by 25 runs. Biplab Samantray was declared Man of the Match.
In the other Quarter Final Match, played at VCA Ground (Kalmana), between, A.G. Rajasthan and A.G. Kerala, A.G. Rajasthan after electing to bat first after winning the toss, put up a decent 157/6 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to brilliant half century, 59 (44 balls 6×4, 1×6) by Arjit Gupta , 29 by Rahul Tomar and 22* by Ajay Singh Kookna. Manu Krishnan, 3 Wkts giving away 19 runs was the pick for A.G. Kerala. Chasing the score, wickets kept falling at regular intervals and A.G. Kerala were bundled out for 122/10 in 19.2 overs. Basil N.P. (26), Saly Vishwanath (19) and Manu Krishnan (19) were their main run getters, Rituraj Singh and ShubhamSharma took 3 for A.G. Rajasthan. A.G. Rajasthan won by 35 Runs. Arjit Gupta was declared Man of the Match.
In the last quarter final, played at S.G. City ground, Shakkardhara, A.G. Rajkot, Gujarat being put into bat by A.G. Tamil Nadu, could manage 109 all out in 19.2 overs. Vipul Makwana (48) & Kishan Parmar (31) were the top run getters for A,G, Rajkot, Gujarat. Ashwath S. took three wickets while Vignesh G.V. and Prathiban A.C. two Wickets apiece for A.G. Tamil Nadu. In reply, A.G. Tamil Nadu knocked the required runs loosing 5 wickets in the process, 110/5 (15.3 overs), thanks to quick fire 46 (31 balls , 3×4, 2×6) and Ashwath S. (29). Kuldeep Sharma took 3 wickets for A.G. Rajkot, Gujarat. A.G. Tamil Nadu won by 5 wickets. Ashwath S. was declared Man of the Match.
Earlier, IA&AD Inter Zonal Cricket tournament was inaugurated by Justice (Retd) V.M. Deshpande, President, VCA, Nagpur. In his inaugural speech, Justice V.M. Deshpande appreciated the entire staff for the wonderful arrangements for all the players coming from various parts of the country and wished them best of Luck for their matchesand concluded by saying “Jo fit hai who hit hai”. Ms. Lata Mallikarjuna, IA & AS, Director General, Regional Training Institute, Nagpur and Shri PraveerKumar, Accountant General (A&E)-II, Maharashtra, Nagpur, were the Guests of Honour. R. ThiruppathiVenkataswamy, Patron and Accountant General (Audit), Maharashtra, Nagpur, welcomed all the teams and said to enjoy their matches, stay and match arrangements. All the dignitaries shook hand with all the players of team and the Chief Guest, by Justice V.M. Deshpande, released the balloons and played a shot to declare the tournament open. Shri Naresh Kumar Manne, Dy. Accountant General and Vinit Ghadge, President A.G.RC, welcomed everyone and introduced the guests. Ms. Astha Garg and Ms. Vandana compered the program..
Shri Dinesh Mate, Sr. Dy. Accountant General, Shri. Akshay Khandare, Dy. Accountant General, Smt. SunitaGunashekhar, Dy. Director, Finance & Communication, DA P&T, Ms. B. Manimozhi, Dy. Accountant General, Ms S. Haripriya, Dy. Accountant General and large number of officers and staff members were present on the occasion.
Today’s Events(30.03.23):
Semifinals
i) A.G. Jammu & Kashmir V/s A.G Rajasthan (V.C.A Stadium, Civil Lines, Nagpur) (9.00 am)
ii) A.G. West Bengal V/s A.G Tamil Nadu (V.C.A Ground, Kalamna, Nagpur) (9.00 am)
