BSNL beats AAI with massive 363 runs

Pune, Mar 18 (UNI) Joginder Sharma's record knock of 245 from 124 balls helped his team BSNL to register a massive 363-run win over Airport Authority of India in the league phase of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) all India limited overs cricket tournament being played here.

In the other league tie, Employees Provident Fund Office (EPFO), helped by a blitzkrieg knock of 107 by Machindra Bahamare, also posted a facile 117-run win over New India Assurance.

The day, however, belonged to Sharma who tore the rival Airport Authority of India pace and spin attack to shreds and powered his way to a magnificent knock of 245, a record which is difficult to be broken.

His 124 balls knock was studded with 31x4s and 8x6s, which saw BSNL muster 417 for 5 in the stipulated 40 overs. Other fine contributions were from T Rajendra 57 and Joginder Singh 58.

In reply, Airport Authority of India were folded for a paltry 54 in 20.5 overs.

Electing to bat first, EPFO slammed 291 for 8 in their alloted 40 overs with Bahamare rattling 107 from 82 balls (13x4s and 2x6s). The others to swell their tally were Dushan Kadam 52, Anil Rajpal 34 and Praful Mahajan 30.

In reply, New India Assurance could score 174 before being all out in 31.4 overs. Harshad Bhojnaik (50) and Mahesh Shirke (45) were the main stay of their batting. Praful Mahajan claimed 4 for 24.

Brief scores: Telco Ground Pimpri BSNL 417 for 5 in 40 overs (Joginder Sharma 245, T Rajendra 57 and Joginder Singh 58, Hemant Kadam 2/60, D B Gurung 2/88) beat Airport Authority of India 54 in 20.5 overs (Rajpal Singh 20, Niranjan Behra 3/9 and Kaushal Makwana 4/5).

S P College Ground: EPFO 291 for 8 in 40 overs (Machinder Bahamare 107, Anil Rajpal 34, Dushan Kadam 52 and Praful Mahajan 30, Mangesh Darekar 2/44 and Ranjit Gharat 3/77) beat New India Assurance 174 in 31.4 overs (Harshad Bhojnaik 50, Mahesh Shirke 45, Sachin Sawant 3/45, Ram Prakash 3/36 and Praful Mahajan 4/24).

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