Varun and Qadir prop up Indian Air Force

Sirsa, Sept 15 (UNI) Three wickets down for 38 runs, Indian Air Force were bolstered by opener Varun Rajan (43) and Qadir Mumtaz 39) who were associated in a valuale 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket stand against Lahore Lions in the final of the Jannayak Chaudahry Devi Lal International Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at the floodlit JCD National Cricket Stadium here tonight.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, opener and captain Imran Khan adn Varun Rajan opened their innings. They could post only 20 runs before Waqas Ahmed had Varun caught by Imran Khan who made eight runs in 16 balls. Shreejith joined Varun and they took the total to 37 before Shreejith (9) was dismissed by Khakan Arsal.

New comer DSAtri was cheaply dismissed for one run.

Then Varun and Qadar Mumtaz steadied the innings with a 64-run stand. This duo carried the total to 102 in 18.3 overs before this partnership was broken. Varun played a brilliant innings of 43 in 50 deliveries. His innings was studded with sweetly timed four fours and one huge six. Qadar's 33 in 33 balls contained five fours.

Mohd Amir (2 for 24) and Mohd Khalil (2 for 10) were mainly responsible for containing the Indian Air Force innings to 109 for 6 in stipuated 20 overs Earlier, former Test star and Member Parliament Navjot Singh Sidhu spun the coin for the toss and IAF captain Imran Khan called it correct. Imran decided to opt for batting. Sidhu was accompanied by Bollywood star Sunil Shetty, Indian Amateur Boxing Association president Abhey Singh Chautala in the middle for the toss.

Brief scores: Indian Air Force: 109 for 6 in 19.5 overs (Varun Rajan 43, 4x4s, 1x6, Qadar Mumtaz 39, 5x4s, Mohd Amir 2 for 4, Mohd Khalil 2 for 10, Waqas Ahmed 1 for 19, Khakan Arsal 1 for 24).

UNI XC-HS JS2233