NYK lift Archana cricket trophy

Patna, March 1, 2009
Local senior division league team Nehru Yuvak Kendra Cricket Club (NYKCC) halted Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi (DLW) XI’s dream run in the final and clinched the third Archana Sharma memorial cricket tournament title. NYK beat DLW XI by 69 runs at the Moinul Haq Stadium here.

Batting first, NYK scored 165 for nine wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Pradeep (38) emerged as the top scorer while substantial contribution came from Babul (20), Ashish (31), Kumar Aditya (33) and Nishant (20) Manoj Singh took three wickets for 24 runs. Abdul Gani two wickets for 31 and Avinash one wicket for 31 runs were the other wicket-takers.

In reply, DLW XI could manage to score 96 runs off 27.2 overs. Abhinav Verma, who enjoyed good outings in this tournament so far, disappointed in the final hurdle. He scored only 17 runs. Rakesh Mishra (19), K Ganguly (21) and JP Singh (13) showed some semblance of resistance against NYK’s probing attack.

Kaushik did the trick with his three-wicket haul for only 9 runs. Babloo claimed two wickets for 31 runs. Pradeep Gupta was named man of the match.

Organising committee chairman, Sanjeev Ranjan was the chief guest at the closing function and he distributed the prizes. Abhinav Verma of DLW XI was declared best batsman and best player of the tournament. Abhishek Pandey of DLW XI was adjudged best bowler. Arvind Jha (SBI, Patna) was declared best fielder while Kamlesh Kumar of NYKCC got best promising player award.
Brief scores:
NYKCC: 165 for nine wickets in 40 overs (Babul-20, Ashish-31, Kumar Aditya-33, Nishant-20, Pradeep-38, Manoj Singh-3/24, A Gani-2/31, Avinash-1/31)
DLW XI: 96 all out in 27.2 overs (Abhiav Verma-17, Rakesh Mishra-19, K Ganguly-21, JP Singh-13, Kaushik-3/9, Babool-2/31).

DLW XI in final
DLW XI, Varanasi entered the final of the third Archana Sharma memorial cricket tournament defeating Gardanibagh XI by 86 runs in the second semi-final at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on February 28.
Abhinav Verma of DLW XI (Varanasi), who remained unbeaten on 79 runs, was declared man of the match. He received the man of the match award from former international and Test cricketer, Saba Karim.
Batting first, DLW XI piled up 215 for seven wickets I the allotted 40 overs. In reply, Gardanibagh XI stumbled out for 129 runs in 36.5 overs.

Brief scores:
DLW XI, Varanasi: 215 for seven wickets in 40 overs (Abhinav Verma-79 not out, Khurshid Khan-82, Manoj Singh-15, Sahil-5/18)
Gardanibagh XI: 129 all out in 36.5 overs (Akash-23, A Pintu-25, Iqbal-17, A Gani-4/26, Avinash-2/23, Abhishek Pandey-3/20)