Makda bowls Gujarat to thrilling one run victory over Orissa

Mumbai, Apr 15 (UNI) Asraf Makda took two wickets for five runs in the last over to give Gujarat a thrilling one run win over Orissa in a Group 'A' match of the inter-state Twenty20 competition played at the Brabourne stadium here today.

Orissa, needing seven runs from the last over from Makda, lost two wickets for just one run from the first five balls and though the last ball was hit for a four by S Khatua it was enough to give Gujarat the victory.

Earlier batting first, Gujarat struggled to 114 for seven in their 20 overs with Neeraj Patel holding the innings together with a 44 ball 48 which was inclusive of four boundaries and a six. For Orissa Paresh Patel with 2-28 was the most successful bowler.

In reply, Orissa were in all sorts of trouble at 35 for four, but N Behera kept their hopes alive with a 51-ball 52 which had three fours and two towering sixers. He, however, did not receive the support from the other end before falling on the penultimate ball of the innings being caught at short fine leg by Hitesh Majmudar of Asraf Makda. Makda with 3 for 15 was the star bowler for Gujarat with Majmudar chipping in with 2-19 in his four overs.

In an earlier match, Punjab defeated Railways by two wickets.

Scores: Gujarat: 114 for seven (N Patel 48, Paresh Patel 2-28) defeated Orissa 113 for seven (N Behera 52, A Makda 3-15, H Majmudar 2-19) by one run.

UNI