Defending champions BLV Blasters lose to Trident Stallions
Salil Arora scored 56 runs, Ramandeep contributed 54 runs, Baltej and Aryaman took 3-3 wickets
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali. June 13, 2024:
Led by superb half-centuries from Salil Arora (56 off 30) and Ramandeep Singh (54 off 29), Trident Stallions recorded a fine 34-run win over defending champions BLV Blasters in a match played during the ongoing second Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup being organised by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, on Thursday.
Salil, whose unbeaten innings included five boundaries and three sixes, was named player of the match for his match-winning knock.
On winning the toss, Stallions opted to bat and posted a huge total of 200/5 in 20 overs with the help of Ramandeep and Salil innings. Opening the innings, captain Prabhsimran Singh also came good with the bat, collecting 34 runs off 24 balls. Just when he was looking to play a bigger innings he got out on left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar's bowling. One down batter, Abhay Chaudhary also showed intent to contribute at a brisk rate. He made 18-ball 23 to bolster the Stallions innings. Later, Ramandeep and Salil combined well to take Stallions to 200. For Blasters, Manav Vashisht grabbed two wickets, giving away 27 runs.
Chasing 201 for the win was always going to be a tough task for the Blasters but with captain Naman Dhir and opener Harnoor Pannu in good form the chase could have been achieved. Harnoor, who had come good in previous two games, got out early scoring 12-ball 17, bringing the spotlight on Naman. Kunwarjeet Balagan and Naman gelled well thereafter and scored at a good pace. Medium-pacer Baltej Singh removed Kunwarjeet for 24 and ended the partnership. Once Naman was out for 58 off 33 on Baltej's bowling, Blasters' chances faded. Harpreet (13), Anmol Malhotra (11) and Simranjeet Gharu (20 not out) were the contributors for Blasters. They made 166/9 in 20 overs. Baltej and Aryaman took 3-3 wickets. This was Stallions second win of the tournament.
14 June's matches
Intersoft Titans vs Royal Phantoms at 3:00 pm
Agri King's Knights vs BLV Blasters at 7:15pm