BHUBANESWAR 23-Dec-2012 225
Media XI retained the Friendship Cup, defeating Bureaucrats XI by six wickets in the thrilling final of the 6th Tata Steel Festival Cricket Tournament at the Infosys stadium here today. Chasing a competitive target of 90 in 12 overs, Media XI overcame anxious moments to romp home with one ball to spare.
The mediamen were facing defeat, needing 23 runs from the last two overs. But Pradosh Baliarsingh brought a dramatic turn-around, hitting opposition skipper Manoj Chhabra for a mighty six over long-on and a sizzling boundary to the long-of in successive balls. Ace allrounder Fazal Ali capped the victory with a ferocious square-drive to the extra-cover fence. Earlier, Bureaucrats XI rode on Debi Priya Biswal’s 36 to make 89 for six in the stipulated 12 overs. Khirod Behera claimed three wickets for Media XI.
Organised by Tata Steel, the day-long tournament, involving four teams, proved to be an excellent event for legislators, bureaucrats, mediamen and Tata Steel employees to take a break from their busy professional schedule and have fun through cricket.
Earleir in the semifinals, Bureaucrats XI (115 for 2 in 12 overs) trounced Legislators XI (42/4 in 12 overs) by 73 runs, while Media XI (96/5 in 10 overs) prevailed over Tata Steel XI (60/2 in 10 overs) by 36 runs.
OERC chairman S P Nanda, Tata Steel vice-president (TQM & Odisha project) Anand Sen, deputy vice-president (Operations) Arun Misra and New Indian Express Odisha editor Srimoy Kar gave away the prizes at the closing function.
Bureaucats XI’s Debi Priya Biswal was adjudged the best batsman as well as the man of the tournament. The best bowler, best fielder and best wicket-keeper awards were claimed by Khirod Behera (Media XI), P Ramasamy (Bureaucats XI) and Sanjeev Dogra (Tata Steel) respectively.
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PHOTO: Players of Media-XI celebrate their victory in Bhubaneswar on December 23, 2012.
