Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Nov 7: Orissa clinched their fifth consecutive East Zone cricket title for the visually-impaired defeating Bengal by a convincing margin of 104 runs in the final played at Ranchi, Saturday.
After opting to bat first, Orissa rode on a scintillating century by Pankaj Bhue (113) to score a mammoth 229 runs for the loss of six wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. This was Bhue’s third century in succession and he dominated the opposition bowlers right from the start. He was well-supported by Lal Prasad Soren (64) and Md. Jafar Iqbal (30).
Chasing a mammoth victory target of 230 runs, Bengal could manage only 125 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Jafar, Kalia Pradhan, Tapan Kumar Gouda and Pankaj picked up two wickets each and never allowed the opposition batsmen to settle down. They bowled a very disciplined line and length and were always in control of proceedings.
Pankaj was adjudged the man of the final as well as man of the series in the B-II category. In the B-I category, Jafar bagged the man of the series award, while Sukhram Majhi took the top honours in the B-III category.
