Mohali: Barinder Saran, who represented India in ODI and T-20 matches against Australia and Zimbabwe, was awarded as the best senior cricketer of the year by the Punjab Cricket Association in its annual award function held at IS Bindra Stadium PCA Mohali in Dhruv Pandove Conference Hall, here on Thursday.

The award carried a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh which was handed over by MP Pandove, honorary secretary general, PCA.

The award in the junior category carrying a cash prize of Rs 50,000 was given to Anmolpreet Singh who represented India in U-19 World Cup 2016 by GS Walia, honorary secretary, PCA.

A special cash award of Rs.50,000 was given to Abhishek Sharma by Viswajeet Khanna, honorary treasurer, PCA for the outstanding performance in Vijay Merchant Trophy (U-16, scoring 1200 runs at an average of 109.9 and a haul of 57 wickets for 602 runs with best bowling of 9 for 7). The D.P. Azad Trophy for the best coach of the year and a cash prize of Rs.50,000 was given to Sanjay Mahajan, coach of U-16 team which won the Vijay Merchant Trophy.

PCA also pooled Rs. 4 lakh to the Rs 4 lakh prize money received from BCCI for Under-16 winners of Vijay Merchant Trophy and the members of the team were honoured by handing over individual cheques by IS Bindra, chairman, PCA.

The best district award of Rs 6 lakh went to Patiala District which secured 12 points while 2nd best district award of Rs 3 lakh lacs went to Chandigarh District which secured 06 points.

According to Sushil Kapoor, spokesperson, PCA, the awards were given to best junior and senior players of the year, best district award, best coach award and honouring of two former first class players.
In the end, MP Pandove, honourary secretary general, also honoured two first class former players with whom he had played during his playing days.