CUTTACK 05-Nov-2013 140
Host Odisha emerged champions in the East Zone Cricket Tournament for Visually Impaired, beating West Bengal in the final by five wickets at Ravenshaw University ground here today. Batting first, West Bengal made a respectable total of 107 in the stipulated 20 overs. But Odisha rode on a sparkling knock of 52 by international Pankaj Bhue to overhaul the target in 15.3 overs.
Bhue was adjudged the man of the match. Lal Prasad Soren was most successful bowler for Odisha, bagging three wickets. Tapan Kumar Gouda, Pankan Bhue and Sukram Majhi (all Odisha) received the man of the series prizes in B1, B2 and B3 categories respectively. West Bengal thrashed Jharkhand by 108 runs. In reply to West Bengal`s formidable total of 165, Jharkhand were restricted to 57 for nine in the stipulated 15 overs.
Earlier, Odisha posted back-to-back wins to storm into the final. Led by Mohammad Jaffer Iqbal, Odisha (88/3 in 11 overs) beat Bengal (87/8 in 15 overs) by seven wickets in the opening match. In the next game, Odisha (204/0 in 15 overs) thrashed Jharkhand (69/9 in 15 overs) by 135 runs. Odisha`s Sukram Majhi hit an unbeaten 106 against Jharkhand to be adjudged the man of the match. His teammate Pankaj Bhue also shone with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 72.
The two-day tournament, featuring three states, was inaugurated by Ravenshaw University Vice-chancellor Baishnava Tripathy, in the presence of Sanyas Behera, general secretary of host Cricket Association for Visually Impaired, Odisha.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Players of Odisha visually impaired cricket team receive the trophy in Cuttack on November 5, 2013.
