Khanolkar takes Railways to easy six-wicket win over Gujarat

Mumbai, Apr 16 (UNI) Shreyas Khanolkar's superb unbeaten 66 of just 33 balls enabled Railways to score an easy six-wicket victory over Gujarat, with 6.2 overs remaining, in the Group 'A' match of the inaugural inter-state Twenty20 tournament at the Wankhede stadium here today.

Railways, chasing a target of 116 for victory in 20 overs, reached 117 for four in just 13.4 overs to notch up their first victory after losing to Punjab yesterday. For Gujarat, it was their first defeat after winning the opening match against Orissa yesterday.

Put into bat by Railways, Gujarat stuttered to 115 for nine with only middle order bat Bhavin Thakar making a patient unbeaten 32 from as many as 46 balls with two boundaries in it. For Railways, Harvinder Singh with two for 23 and Shankar Rao with two for 19, were the main wicket takers.

In reply, Railways were helped by a 62-run third wicket stand between Amit Pagnis (25) and Shreyas Khanolkar (66 in 33 balls with seven boundaries and four sixers) to take them to an easy victory.

Brief Scores: Gujarat 115 for nine in 20 overs (B Thakar 32 not out; Harvinder Singh 2-23, Shankar Rao 2-19) lost to Railways 117 for 4 in 13.2 overs (S Khanolkar 66 not out, Amit Pagnis 25) by six wickets.

UNI