CHANDIGARH, SEPT 29 :An all-round performance by Umesh Kaira (3 for 17, 52 not out) helped Godrej Cricket Club beat HDFC Bank by three wickets in the IInd Godrej Eon League Cricket Tournament, being organised by Chandigarh Sports Club at Government Model Senior Secondary School ground in Sector 32 here.
Chasing a target of 179 for victory, Godrej CC achieved it in for the lose of seven wickets in 25 overs.
Godrej CC made a very cautious start. The HDFC bowlers kept the Godrej batsmen quiet and did not give away too many runs. As a result the match went down to the last ball of the innings, where Umesh Kaira scored the winning runs. He also completed his unbeaten half century (52). Manav Asopa played a valuable knock of 54.
Earlier, HDFC Bank posted 178 all out in stipulated 25 overs. The highlight of their innings was a brilliant 101 by Gurinder Saini. Balwar Pooni made 20. Anil Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief as he picked up three prized wickets for 16 runs. He was ably suported by Umesh Kaira (3 for 17).
Brief scores:- HDFC Bank XI: 178 all out in 25 overs (Gurinder Saini 101, Balwar Pooni 20, Anil Sharma 3 for 16, Umesh Kaira 3 for 17). Godrej CC: 179 for 7 in 25 overs (Manav Asopa 54, Umesh Kaira 52 not out, Balwar Pooni 2 for 26, Gurinder Saini 2 for 30).
In another match, United Sports CLub XI defeated Sports World XI by 47 runs, riding on a fine bowling performance by Sudhanshu who scalped 6 wickets for 23 runs.
The final will be played between Godrej CC and United Sports on October 2 at 9:00 a.m at GMSSS-32.
Brief scores: United Sports CLub XI: 128 for 8 in 25 overs (Lakhan Shandil 28, Nirmal 22 n.o, Charanamrit 2 for 26, Gourav Pandit 2 for 17).
Sports World XI: 81 all out in 16.3 overs (Charanamrit 27, Sudhanshu 6 for 23).