SPORTS

UPCA trounce Hari Bhoomi, enter semi-final
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 4
Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) defeated Hari Bhoomi by seven wickets to enter the semi-final of the seventh Lala Hari Ram Aggarwal Memorial Day-Night Cricket Carnival at Karnail Singh Stadium.

Harjeet Singh Harbola produced a devastating bowling performance, and Parminder Singh struck a hurricane 74, laced with seven fours and two sixes, to star in UPCA’s victory.

Put into bat, Hari Bhoomi collapsed for 143 in 28 overs with Harjeet Singh striking terror. Sandeep Rana was the

top scorer with 27 while Varun Kumar hit 25. In reply, UPCA raced to 144 for the loss of just three wickets in 27 overs. Parminder Singh remained not out on 74 while Rahat Elahi scored 38 not out.

Parminder Singh was declared the man of the match while Harjeet Singh got the best bowler award. Rahat Elahi was named the best batsman. Mr Raj Khurana distributed the prizes.

Scores: Hari Bhoomi Club: 143 all out in 28 overs (Sandeep Rana 27, Varun Kumar 25, Wilkins Victor 22, Rajiv Uniyal 21 n o, Harjeet Singh 4 for 29, Parminder 2 for 19, Sanjay Pandey 2 for 28).

UPCA: 144 for 3 in 27 overs (Parminder Singh 74 n o, Rahat Elahi 38 n o, Farman Ahmed 1 for 12, Sandeep Rana 1 for 21, Vaibhav Dua 1 for 40).

Thursday’s fixture: Lal Bahadur Shastri Club vs Air India/Railways.

Camp for Haryana cricketers draws to a close
Our Correspondent

Rohtak, June 4
Cricketers who had represented Haryana at different platforms rehearsed strategies, removed flaws from their techniques, beat the heat for three weeks and left for their homes today as the off-season coaching camp organised by the Haryana Cricket Association (HCA) came to an end here today.

According to HCA Secretary Ranbir Singh Mahendra, 20 cricketers, including 16 Ranji players, attended the camp. The HCA Secretary told NCR Tribune the efforts of these cricketers were studied by former cricketers Rajinder Goel and Vijay Yadav who helped them remove faults from their techniques with a view to improve their performance in competitive cricket.

The camp commenced on May 14 and was attended by Haryana Ranji cricketers, players who represented the state in Under-19 and Under-25 tournaments. The activities were undertaken at two different venues. The morning session was held at Delhi Public School grounds where cricketers learnt methods to improve their running between the wicket, catching and throwing besides making exercises for maintaining their fitness from 7 am to 10 am daily. The net practice was held in the evening from 3 pm to 7 pm at Rohtak Cricket Academy where a number of local cricketers watched Haryana cricketers perform.

The main motivating factor for the participating cricketers was the presence of wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra and right arm leg spinner Amit Mishra who left the camp midway to join the camp for the England-bound India A squad at Banglore. A visit to the camp venue revealed the boys were so enthusiastic and attentive in their approach towards learning the finer points that they did not bother about the heat wave conditions prevailing these days in this part of the country.

When the next session begins after rains, conditions will be different, the pitches will be different, encounters will not be friendly but the organisers feel that the lessons learnt at the camp will go a long way in helping the cricketers blend into a winning bunch.

DDCA signs contract to build new stadium
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 4
The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Arun Jaitley signed a contract with Engineering Projects India Ltd (a Government of India Enterprise) for the expansion and construction of a new cricket stadium at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground. The function was attended by senior vice-presidents C K Khanna and Suresh Chopra, sports secretary Sunil Dev, secretary S P Bansal, treasurer Ram Babu Gupta and club secretary Anil Khanna.

The new stadium will have a seating capacity of 50,000 with all the modern facilities. The demolition work is complete, and work on the first phase of the stadium is likely to be completed before the start of the next international season. “We may be the last (in constructing a modern stadium), but we will be the best”, said Mr C K Khanna, who is also the vice-chairman of the National Cricket Academy.

Shera Pandit tourney winners honoured
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 4
Union Commerce Minister Rajeev Pratap Rudy distributed trophies and prizes to the winners and runners-up of the 12th Shera Pandit Memorial Cricket Tournament, organised by the Subhania Club at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground.

Air Sahara won the title while Lal Bahadur Shastri Club finished as runners-up. Sumit Dogra of Shastri Club was presented the best batsman trophy while Umesh Chaudhary of Air Sahara won the best bowler award. Surender Dayma was adjudged the man of the tournament. Former Indian Test opener Chetan Chauhan and Delhi and District Cricket Association sports secretary Sunil Dev were also present.

Mukul Dagar helps R P Academy enter semis
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 4
A dynamic batting display by 11-year-old Mukul Dagar, who cracked 96 off just 71 balls, studded with ten boundaries and one six, and deadly bowling by Sameer Gupta (4 for 3) and Harjinder Singh (3 for 12) enabled R P Cricket Academy beat Don Bosco Academy by 73 runs and enter the semi-final of the fourth Peacock Under-13 Cricket Tournament at the Gargi College ground.

Scores: R P Academy: 189 for 6 in 30 overs (Mukul Dagar 96, Vaibhav Rawal 48, Harshid Pathak 2 for 36, Niel Dabral 3 for 21).

Don Bosco Academy: 116 all out in 24.4 overs (Parteek Bhashin 46, Lalit Choudhary 31, Sameet Gupta 4 for 3, Harjinder Singh 3 for 12).

In another match, Chetan Academy tossed out Young Friends, after their quarter-final match ended in a tie.

Scores: Young Friends: 120 for 9 in 30 overs (Sukman 35, Dev Kant 31, Divij Soney 2 for 15, Kshitij Sachdeva 4 for 17).

Chetan Academy: 120 for 9 in 30 overs (Kapil Shar 30, Kartik 30, Naved Husen 4 for 9, Sithant 3 for 21).