Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Captain Aman Yadav delivered a sensational performance to lead South Point School to the title in the TOPCEM-ASJA U-16 Inter-School and Coaching Centre Cricket Championship. The thrilling final, held at Nehru Stadium on Saturday, saw South Point edge past The Academy of Royals Cricket by three wickets in a tightly contested game.
The bowlers dominated the match, making it a challenge for batters to settle in. However, Aman Yadav showcased remarkable composure and played a match-winning innings, standing out as the only batter in his team to reach double digits.
Academy of Royals Cricket won the toss and decided to bat first. Bowlers of South Point, capitalized on the early morning conditions, reducing The Academy of Royals to 5-2 in no time. Consistent breakthroughs kept the opposition under pressure, and at one point, they were struggling at 80-9.
However, a gutsy 40-run partnership for the last wicket between Jayprakash Das and Mizanur Rahman gave The Academy of Royals Cricket a fighting chance. Mizanur, batting at No. 11, was the top scorer with a quickfire 34 off 24 balls, featuring six boundaries and a six. Jugal Kishore Kalita contributed a solid 32 off 46 balls. The team was eventually bowled out for 120 in 32.4 overs.
Among the South Point bowlers, Manish Upadhyay delivered an impressive spell, claiming 3-17 in 4.4 overs. Praneet Pagaria (2-18) and Siddhartha Das (2-19) also made crucial contributions with the ball.
Chasing a modest target of 121 in 40 overs, South Point found themselves in trouble early, losing half their wickets for just 30 runs. The Academy of Royals Cricket bowlers, led by Abu Nechim Ahmed, kept the pressure on. Abu was outstanding, taking 4-19 in his 7-over spell, while Harsh Vardhan chipped in with 2-38.
In the midst of the collapse, Aman Yadav rose to the occasion. The captain played a match-defining knock, scoring an unbeaten 65 off 59 balls, which included nine boundaries and a six. His calm approach under pressure ensured South Point reached the target, sealing a memorable three-wicket victory.
Aman Yadav’s remarkable innings gave him the Man of the Match Award in the final.
The awards were presented to the players during a vibrant closing ceremony compered by Sushim Ghosh, the Working President of the Assam Sports Journalists Association. Devajit Saikia, Acting Secretary of the BCCI, attended the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest. The event was graced by several distinguished personalities, including Anil Kapur, President of Meghalaya Cement Sales and Marketing; Pradip Timung, Director of Sports and Youth Welfare; former first-class cricketer Abu Nechim Ahmed; Sujit Dey, a senior official from SBI; and Gunjal Dutta, a senior official from PITA. Sports organizers Rajib Prakash Baruah and Taher Ahmed, veteran sports journalist Pabitra Gogoi, along with the Chairman and President of ASJA, Subodh Malla Barua and Bidyut Kalita, respectively, were also present.
During the event, Devajit Saikia was felicitated by the Assam Sports Journalists’ Association for his recent appointment as the Acting Secretary of the BCCI. In a brief address, Saikia praised ASJA’s unwavering dedication to promoting junior cricket.
The awards of the TOPCEM-ASJA Inter Media Sports Festival was also distributed in the closing ceremony.
Individual Awards in TOPCEM-ASJA Inter School and Coaching Centre Cricket: Best batter- Bhairab Kakoti (Academy of Royals Cricket). Best bowler: Abu Nechim Ahmed (Academy of Royals Cricket). Best fielder: Nihal Baishya (Machkhowa Cricket Coaching Centre). Player of the tournament: Praneet Pagaria (South Point School.
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