Chandigarh: Opener U-19 World Cup player Akshdeep Nath alongwith Amitoze Singh hammered a 162 runs partnership for the third wicket off 177 balls to put Reliance on course to retain the JP Atray Memorial title they had won last year. The partnership was broken when Amitoze Singh was caught by Kohli off Sandeep Sharma for 72 off 92 balls inclusive of five boundaries and one six. Akashdeepnath went on to score a century 112 off 135 balls, inclusive of seven boundaries before being castled by Rahul Sharma.

Milind Kumar unbeaten 32 off 31 balls and Yogesh Nagar unbeaten 16 off 10 balls saw their team reach 248 for 4 in 48.3 overs to win the match by six wickets. Sandeep Sharma 2 for 40 was the main wicket taker for PCC.

Earlier winning the toss at Sector 16 Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh, PCC opted to bat first and they opened with Sunny Sohal and Jeevanjot Singh. Sohal was the first to go when he offered a straight forward catch to Solanki in covers after scoring one run. Ravi Inder Singh, who came in next and hit three consecutive boundaries before he was caught by Nagar off Pawan Suyal for 12. Then skipper Taruwar Kohli in company of Jeevanjot Singh added 71 runs for the 3rd wicket before Jeevanjot Singh was trapped in front by Ketal Patel for 52 off 68 balls inclusive of three boundaries.

Taruwar Kohli and Gurkirat Mann then put on 44 runs for the 4th wicket before Pawan Negi castled Gurkirat Mann for 28 off 46 balls inclusive of three boundaries. Thereafter, Taruwar Kohli and Sharad Lumba added 94 useful runs for the fifth wicket to take the score to 228 in 45.1 overs before Taruwar Kohli holed out to Akashdeep off Yogesh Nagar for well made 81 off 95 balls inclusive of 5 boundaries.

Sharad Lumba was run out by Negi-Samit Patel combine for 42 off 42 balls inclusive of two boundaries and one six.

From 234 for six in 45.4 overs, PCC slid to 247 all out in 49.1 overs. For Reliance-I Yogaesh Nagar 3 for 15 and Pawan Suyal 3 for 47 were the most successful bowlers.

Brief Scores: PCC: 247 all out in 49.1 overs (Jeevanjot Singh 52, Gurkirat Mann 28, Taruwar Kohli 81, Sharad Lumba 42, Yogaesh Nagar 3 for 15 and Pawan Suyal 3 for 47).

Reliance-I: 248 for 4 in 48l.3 overs (Akshdeepnath 112, Amitoze Singh 72, Milind Kumar 32 not out and Yogesh Nagar 16 not out, Sandeep Sharma 2 for 40).

Sameer Mathur Addl. Chief Secretary Haryana gave away the winner’s trophy and a cash prize of Rs.2 lacs to Reliance-I and the Runners up Trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 1lac to PCC. Following special awards were given :

Man of the match of finals Akshdeepnath of Reliance-I

Best bowler of tournament Charanjit singh of DASCB

Best batsman of the tournament Akshdeep nath of Reliance-I

D.P.Azad award for most technical batsman : Sharad Lumba of PCC

Man of the series : ANKIT SHARMA OF MPCA.