Moga enter semis of inter-dist cricket c’ship

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, July 25

Thanks to a fine all-round performance by Sohraab Kamal (82 not out and 2 for 22), Moga beat hosts Ludhiana comprehensively by six wickets to top the points table in group B and secured a semi-final berth in the fourth and last league match of group B in the ongoing Punjab State Inter-District Senior T20 Cricket Tournament. It was played at GRD Global Education Institute ground on Hambran Road here on Sunday.

Moga district wrapped up all their four league matches (against Mohali, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana) whereas Ludhiana with some established names in its ranks, won only two matches (against Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali) and made an exit from the competition.

Batting first, Ludhiana were off to a solid start with the opening pair of Nehal Wadhera, an international player, and Sunny Pandey posting 40 runs on the board. Nehal scored 25 runs and Sunny contributed 23 runs to hosts total of 155 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

Ludhiana skipper, Punjab Ranji player, Gitansh Khera, however, played an invaluable innings of 75 runs and remained unbeaten. He faced just 46 balls, hit nine fours and three sixes. Vaibhav Kalra chipped in with 15 runs off 12 balls.

For the visitors, Sohraab Kamal, Gurtej Singh Brar and Talwinder Brar shared bowling spoils, securing two wickets each. Sohraab claimed two for 22, Gurtej grabbed two for 30 and Talwinder captured two for 40.

Moga began its reply on a dismal note, losing first wicket with only three runs on the board when Kohinoor Singh Sidhu departed without scoring a run.

But, Sohraab was in his true elements. He cracked 82 runs without losing his wicket. His essay was scripted in 45 deliveries, studded with nine boundaries and three sixes. Other notable contributors were Manpreet Singh, Gurjinder Singh and Harpreet Singh, who made 19, 21 and 13 runs, respectively to enable their side achieve the target (156 for 4) in 17.2 overs.

For Ludhiana, Harshit Takkar got two wickets for 39 runs and Baltej Singh secured one for 24 while Gurmehar Singh accounted for one wicket for 26 runs.