Purushottam helps Hindustan reach Q-F

Patna, February 7
Purushottam (unbeaten 47 runs and one wicket) helped Hindustan reach quarter-finals of the 4th Airtel Media Cup Twenty20 cricket tournament defeating ETV, Bihar by 45 runs in a pool D league match at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Saturday.

With this huge win, Hindustan who had a fear of bowing out of the tournament despite the victory, topped the pool and set up quarter-final clash with Parbhat Khabar.

In another match of the same pool, Channels XI shocked last year’s runners-up Aj by 35 runs. The victory, however, could not help Channels XI as they faced exit losing two earlier matches. In this group Aj moved into the quarter-finals.

Batting first, Hindustan scored 160 runs losing five wickets off 20 overs. Purushottam’s innings was studded with five fours. Vijat (27, 2x4, 1x6), Arun Pratap (28) and Dilip Mishra (11) were the other notable contributors. Rajesh and Sanjeev took two wickets each.

In reply, ETV, Bihar could manage to score 115 runs for 7 off 20 overs. Sanjeev (27), Alok (19) and Rupesh (19 not out) justified their batting. Vijay and Dilip captured two wickets each.

Brief scores: Hindustan 160 for 5 off 20 overs (Purushottan 47 not out, Vijay 27, Arun Pratap 28, Dilip 11, Rajesh 2 for 27, Sanjeev 2 for 16, extras 38).
ETV, Bihar: 115 for 7 off 20 overs (Sanjeev 27, Alok 19, Rupesh 19 not out, Vijat 2 for 16, Dilip 2 for 5, Purushottam 1 for 15, Rahul 1 for 32).

Channels XI: 151 for 9 off 20 overs (Rajesh Gupta 60, Chiranjeev 42, extras 29, Manoj 4 for 15, Surajdev 2 for 32, Ashish 2 for 16).
Aj: 116 for 9 off 20 overs (Parmod Singh 13, Vinod Jha 13, Manoj 18 retired hurt, Ashish 23, Abhay 12, extras 14, Prakash 3 for 13, Brajesh 2 for 20, Rajesh Gupta 2 for 34, extras 14).