IA, BSNL to clash in AIPSSPB cricket finals

Pune, Mar 21 (UNI) Indian Airlines made it to the All India Public Sector Sports Promotion Board (AIPSSPB) cricket finals without having to play the semifinals while BSNL snatched an exciting three-run win over ONGC in the other semifinal here today.

The finals between Indian Airlines and BSNL will be held tomorrow.

Defending champions Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and star-studded Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) refused to play their knock-out quarter-final limited overs tie unhappy over the ground conditions. The tournament is being hosted by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

IOC skipper Abbas Ali and his BPCL counterpart Sairaj Bahutule refused to play on the Yeravada Jail grounds, contending it was unfit for playing. The organisers urged both the teams to play the tie at the alternate venue of S P College grounds but the two still refused.

Organising secretary Victor Anthony told UNI here today that a report will be submitted to the AIPSSPB seeking action against the defaulting teams.

Indian Airlines, thus, did not have to play a semifinal tie and had a smooth passage to the finals.

In the other semi-final, BSNL recorded an exciting three-run win over Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) at the Poona Club ground.

BSNL, batting first, were bundled out for a meagre 105 in 24.4 overs off the stipulated 40 overs. In reply ONGC folded for 102 in 24.5 overs.

Brief Scores: BSNL: 105 in 24.4 overs (B S Tomar 25, Joginder Singh 17, Priyavarat Pradhan 23; Amit Bhandari 2/12, Abid Khan 3/36, Amit Mishra 3/29) beat ONGC: 102 in 24.5 overs (Riwan Shamshad 27, Sandeep Sharma 19, Suhail Sharma 16; Joginder Singh 3/43, B B Mahapatra 2/33, Kamlesh Makwana 2/15, Niranjan Behra 3/6).

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