Om Parkash bowls Himachal CC into semis of 20-20 cricket

Chandigarh, May 3 (UNI) Himachal Cricket Club qualified for the semi-final from Group A and will challenge Group B leaders Professional Cricket Club on May 6 in the first All India Invitation Prize Money Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium here.

In the second semi-final Pool A winners star-sprinkled Oil and Natural Gas Corporation will meet Pool B runners-up All India Electricity Sports Control Board.

Himachal Cricket Club, led by seasoned campaigner Narinder Kwatra, outplayed Chandigarh Lawyers Sports Association by 68 runs in their last group A encounter today. Himachal CC completed their league programme with two wins and one defeat and secured eight points.

Lawyers finished their league assignment with one triumph and two defeats and obtained four points.

Batting first after winning the toss, openers Supandeep and Ashish Kukrati gave Himachal CC a solid beginning as they were associated in a 68-run stand before the former departed after contributing 46 runs which included five fours and two sixes.

Four runs later, Ashish was also out. Himmat (22) and Karan Bhala (37, 34s, 1x6) were associated in a 45-run stand for the third wicket. The fourth wicket partnership between Karan and Pawan Chadal (29 not out, 6x4) also yielded 45s runs. Himachal posted an impressive total of 159 for 6.

In reply, a deadly and economical spell by Om Parkash (5 for 19) helped Himachal CC dismiss Lawyers SA for 102 in 16.5 overs.

Narinder Kwatra also bowled superbly and claimed three wickets for 12 runs.

Om Parkash was adjudged the Man of the Match. Sanjay Guglani, Area Sales Manager, Titan Industries Limited, presented the award to the star player of Himachal CC.

Earlier, in an inconsequential fixture, Moody ICL defeated JJ's XI by five wickets.

UNI