Varun and Qadir prop up Indian Air Force at JCDLI Twenty20 Tourney

Sirsa, Sep 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 flood-lit JCD National Cricket Stadium here tonight.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, opener and captain Imran Khan and Varun opened their innings. They maged to post only 20 runs before Waqas Ahmed had Varun caught by Imran, who made eight runs in 16 balls.

However, Shreejith (9) joined Varun and took the total to 37 before was dismissed by Khakan Arsal. New comer D Satri was cheaply dismissed for one run.

Varun and Qadar steadied the innings with a 64-run stand. This duo carried the total to 102 in 18.3 overs before this partnership was broken.

Playing a brilliant innings of 43 in 50 deliveries, Varun stroked sweetly timed four fours and one huge six. While 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 the IAF captain Imran called it correct, as he decided to opt for batting.

Sidhu was accompanied by Bollywood star Sunil Shetty, Indian Amateur Boxing Association President Abhay Singh Chautala in the iddle 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).

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