Indian Oil Corporation 252/10 in 50 overs (Wasim Jaffer 75, Paresh Patel 59, Ashith 3/39) drew with Cricket Association of Pondicherry 42/2 in 9 overs (K.B.Arun Karthick 20, D Rohit 12, Atif 1/14)
An eleven day cricket carnival held in the city of Visakhapatnam concluded with a wet final. Organized by Andhra Cricket Association, the ACA SIR VIZZY Tournament saw 10 teams split across two groups to compete for the trophy. The tournament was played in a one day format with 50 overs in each inning. Among the participants, there were three teams from Andhra Pradesh consisting of some top players from the state. 6 other state associations from Mumbai, Baroda, Chhattisgarh, Himanchal Pradesh, Pondicherry and Madhya Pradesh sent their teams to participate in the tournament as well. The remaining spot went to corporate cricket giants, Indian Oil Corporation. The tournament served as a much needed practice event for the teams who were preparing for the first class season ahead.
After 11 days of exciting cricket, two teams full of legendary first class cricketers were up against each other to fight for the right to be called champions. The two captains of table toppers, Indian Oil Corporation and Cricket Association of Pondicherry made their way into the middle at 9:00 AM in the morning. The coin landed in CAP’s favor and they invited IOC to bat first.
Some tight spells from CAP bowlers, especially Rajiv had IOC in early trouble. It took them 7 overs to cross the mark of 10 and that too, at a cost of two wickets. They lost the talented youngster Yashasvi via run out and Amir Ghani within a space of 6 balls between fifth and sixth over. Ankur Bains, the ex-Indian U-19 star and a regular face at the IPL departed soon for 8 and the domestic stalwart, Ravikant Shukla failed to have any impact either. IOC found themselves 4 down for 38 in 15th over.
After surprising many throughout the tournament, CAP had IOC against the wall and they were heading towards a historical triumph but once again, the cricket fans were reminded that there’s no substitute for experience. Wasim Jaffer and Aditya Tare, the two giants of Indian domestic cricket joined hands to bail IOC out of trouble. Two steady heads in the middle guided the team away from a collapse with a well compiled partnership of 93. The pair got them at a quick pace too.
Jaffer departed after an excellent 75 off 74 balls in the 31st over but the job was half done. Paresh Patel (59 off 50) started off where Jaffer left and along with Tare, he stitched down further 84. With the help of Akshay, Patel lead IOC past 250, a target good enough to challenge any opposition in a final.
