Kolkata : Harbhajan Singh led India Maharaj clinch a great win over World Giants by 6 wickets at the Eden Gardens , with the help of the half centuries of Yusuf Pathan & Tanmay Srivastava & 5-fer of Pankaj Singh.
The Match was a charity match to mark the 75 th Independence year of India, the funds of which will go to the Khusii Foundation of Kapil Dev.
Chasing a target of 171 , India Maharajas seemed struggling at the beginning, with losing Virendra Sehwag, Parthiv Patel & Mohammad Kaif early, but things began to turn in their favour with the arrival of Yusuf Pathan & top order Batsman Tanmay Srivastava, the duo added a partnership of 103 runs, from a struggling sluggish situation of 50/3 . The duo took the game completely in India Maharajas favour with both scoring 50s. After the dismissal of Tanmay, Irfan Pathan came to the crease and played a finishing cameo of 20*(9) with 3 sixes , thereby finishing off the match.
Earlier, in the 1st innings, World Giants upon winning the toss, chose to Bat 1st , where Kevin O’Brien & Dinesh Ramdin scored 52(31) & 42*(29) respectively. With the explosive start of World Giants, they seemed to reach a huge total, but Pankaj Singh, the former Indian pacer stopped them, picking up a 5 fer. He was also adjourned the man of the match for his performance.
Brief Scorecard :
1st Innings :
World Giants : 170-8(20)
Kevin O’Brien : 52(31)
Dinesh Ramdin : 42(29)
India Maharajas
Pankaj Singh : 5/26
2nd Innings :
Indian Maharajas : 175-4(18.4)
Yusuf Pathan : 50(35)
Tanmay Srivastava : 54(39)
World Giants
Tim Bresnan : 3/21