T20 cricket: Ropar pip Ludhiana by 11 runs

Sports Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 21

An all-round performance by Gurpreet Singh (87 runs and 2 for 22) and an equally useful contribution with the bat by Nitin Kamboj (54) helped Ropar beat Ludhiana by 11 runs in the third league match of group B in the ongoing Punjab State Inter-District Senior T20 Cricket Tournament, played at Government College ground, Ropar on Wednesday.

Batting first in the rain-affected 15 overs a side match, hosts Ropar scored 172 runs for the loss of three wickets. Their innings revolved around Gurpreet Singh and Nitin Kamboj who made bulk of scoring (141 runs).

Gurpreet faced 42 balls for his fiery innings of 87 runs during which he executed eight sixes and six boundaries while Nitin contributed 54 runs off 38 balls with the help of four hits over the ropes and two sixes. Mayank Gupta remained unbeaten on 11 runs.

For Ludhiana, Baltej Singh was the lone wicket taker. He sent down three overs, captured two wickets after conceding 17 runs. The target set by Ropar appeared an uphill task as Ludhiana could muster 161 runs after losing five wickets.

Vaibhav Kalra was the top scorer, chipping in with 74 runs off only 37 deliveries. His innings contained six sixes and five fours. Nehal Wadhera followed him with 32 runs whereas Gitansh Khera and Sunny Pandey scored 14 and 12 runs, respectively.

For Ropar, Gurpreet was the most successful bowler who claimed two wickets for 22 runs. Inderpreet Singh secured one wicket for 12 runs and Jujhar Singh got one for 23 runs to enable their side to emerge victorious.