Punjab Reds players pose with the trophy after winning the Punjab State T-20 Cricket Tournament for Trident Cup. Tribune photo

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, December 27

Fine batting by Abhishek Sharma (52) and Gurkeerat Mann (43) enabled Punjab Reds script a convincing 71-run win against Jalandhar District Cricket Association (JDCA) XI to lift the winners’ trophy in the inaugural edition of the Punjab State PT-20 Cricket Tournament for Trident Cup that concluded at Hara Cricket Academy Ground, Baddowal, near here on Ferozepur Road on Sunday.

The JDCA XI’s skipper, Mandeep Singh’s decision to field first turned out to a miscalculated one as star studded outfit, Punjab Reds went on post a challenging total of 175 runs after losing four wickets.

The architects of their innings were Abhishek Sharma who made 52 runs off 44 balls, Gurkeerat Mann (43 runs off 31 balls) and Ramandeep Singh who remained unconquered on 37 runs, facing just 14 balls. Prabhsimran Singh and Anmolpreet Singh chipped in with 16 and 13 runs, respectively.

For the JDCA XI, the successful bowlers were Harit Sachar, Prerit Dutta and Arun Kalia who grabbed one wicket each.

Chasing the target, the JDCA XI batmen never found themselves comfortable against some accurate and incisive bowling by Punjab Reds. They lost five wickets with 46 runs on the board and eventually could muster 104 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Punjab Reds received a cash prize of Rs 1.50 lakh in addition to the winners’ trophy while the JDCA XI got richer by Rs 75,000.

Abhishek Sharma of Punjab Reds (230 runs) and Vinay Chaudhary of Amandeep Club, Amritsar (11 wickets) were adjudged the best batsman and best bowler, respectively while Gurkeerat Mann of Punjab Reds was named the best all rounder.

Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu was the chief guest at the prize distribution function. Varinder Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, was the guest of honour.