SIRSA, SEPT 13 ; An all-round performance by SS Karmakar (39 not out, 2 for 16) engineered a comfortable seven-wicket verdict against Indian Navy in the second day-night semi-final of the inaugural Jannayak Chaudhary Devi Lal International Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at the JCD National Cricket Academy Stadium here on Saturday night.
With a 31-ball knock of 39, Karmakar displayed a brilliant form with the bat and ball. He was associated in an defeated 55-run association for the fourth wicket partnership with Showmik Chatterjee (25). Karmakar played a pivot role as Indian Air Force kept their flag flying high by scoring 117 for 3 in 19 overs despite suffering an early setback by losing their captain and opener Imran Khan (1) with scoreboard reading two after four deliveries in the first over bowled by Fazil Mohd (1 for 20).
Mumtaz Qadir joined senior partner Sreejith and their second wicket stand produced 48 runs. Shreejith, who was bowled by Amrinder (1 for 16) made a valuable 32 in as many balls.. Mumtaz Qadir made 17. .
Air Force are now pitted against Lahore Lions of Pakistan in the final on September 15.
Earlier, Indian Navy captain Yashpal Singh won the toss and opted to bat. Opener Tahir Khan started with a flourish by hitting Indian Air Force fast bowler Shadab for two successive fours at point in the first over. However, Navy suffered their jolt when opener Amit Kumar returned to the pavilion without opening his account. His wicket fell at a total of nine after five deliveries.
Captain Yashpal joined Tahir Khan and they carried total to 26 in 5.3 overs before Yashpal was dismissed by Suraj Yadav. New comer Jasvir Singh and opener Tahir Khan steadied their innings. Jasvir made 20 in 23 deliveries before he was run out.
Tahir Khan’s brilliant knock was studded with three well-timed boundaries. Middle order batsman Sanjeev Mishra showed the urgency and played a hurricane innings of 36. Showing brilliant form, Sanjeev hit five fours and one six.
SS Karmakar was adjudged the man of the match for his outstanding all-round performance (2 for 16, Karmakar 39 not out).
Brief scores: 116 for 9 in 20 overs (Tahir Khan 33, 3x4s, Jasvir Singh 20, Sanjeev Mishra not out 36, 5x4s, 1×6, Shadab 2 for 20, SS Karmakar 2 for 16, A Sakuja 1 for 13, Suraj Yadav 1 for 22, DS Atri 1 for 35).
Indian Air Force: 117 for 3 in 19 overs (Shreejith 32, Mumtaz Qadir 17, SS Karmakar 39, Showmik Chatterjee not out 25, Fazil Mohd 1 for 20, Narinder 1 for 26, Amrinder 1 for 16). IAF win by seven wickets. Man of Match: SS Karmakar.