Navy sink Colombo XI to top group B

Sirsa, Sept 11 (UNI) Indian Navy today topped their pool B with three wins from three matches after beating winless Saracens Sports Club, Colombo (Sri Lanka) in a day-night match by five wickets in the first Jannayak Ch Devi Lal International Twenty20 Cricket Tournament being played at the JCD National Cricket Academy Stadium here tonight.

In semi-finals, Navy will meet runners-up of group A Indian Air Force and group A leaders Lahore Lions of Pakistan will cross swords with group B runners-up Life Insurance Corporation. The first semi-final will be played tomorrow the second day after tomorrow.

The Colombo team won the toss and elected to bat first. However, their innings folded at a meagre total of 85 in stipulated 20 overs.

They were losing their wickets at regular intervals. Milinda Sepala was their highest scorer with 17 runs. Geeth Alwis (15), Ravi Karunarathne (10) and Sujith Nikethana (12 not out) were their other main scorers.

MOhd Fazil (2 for 10), Amrinder Singh (2 for 11), Sachin Nankarani (2 for 9), Rakesh Kumar (2 for 30) restricted the Colombo team's wicket-takers.

Required to score 86 runs for their third successive win, Indian Navy achieved their target by scoring 87 for 5 and eight balls to spare. They were given a solid start by openers Amit Kumar (10) and Tahir Khan (17, 1x4s, 1x6) as they were associated in a 35 runs for the opening wicket stand in 6.1 overs. However, they lost the next quick wickets and were placed at 54 for 5.

Sanjeev Mishra (15) and Narender Kumar (16) ensured no further damage as they were associated in a 33-run stand for the unfinished sixth wicket stand. Narender Kumar was declared the man of the match.

Tomorrow the first semi-final will be a day-night affair and Doordarshan will give live telecast of the semis and final.

Brief scores: Saracens Sports Club, Colombo: 85 all out in 20 overs (Geeth Alwis 15, Ravi Karunarathne 10, Milinda Sepala 17, Sujit Nikethana not out 12, Amrinder Singh 2 for 11, Sachin Nadkarani 2 for 9, Rakesh Kumar 2 for 30, Narender Kumar 1 for 20, Amit Kumar 1 for 5).

Indian Navy: 87 for 5 in 18.4 overs (Amit Kumar 10, Tahir Khan 17, Sanjeev Mishra not out 17, Narinkumar not out 16, Geeth Alwis 3 for 4, Malinda Pushpakumara 2 doe 8).

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