ITCF, UP start with victories in National Twenty20 Cricket

Panchkula, May 23 (UNI) Ajit Singh blasted 25-ball 51 in Uttar Pradesh's facile eight-wicket victory over Andhra Pradesh while an allround performance by Harish Garg (three for 15 and 46 runs) helped ITCF defeat Bihar by four wickets on the Day one of the inaugural National Twenty20 Cricket Championship here today.

Chasing a target of 102 in a group B fixture Uttar Pradesh scored 105 for two in 18.3 overs in less than an hour.

Ajit and Himashu Vermani were associated in an 80-run partnership for the second wicket before Ajit was caught by M Riyazul Hasan after contributing 51 runs (5x4,4x6).

Himanshu remained not out on 25 (3x4s).

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh batted first after captain K Vasudeva Reddy won the toss. Reddy was the main scorer with 19 runs (2x4s).

Avinash Reddy (18) and V Siva Nagaraju (10) were the other AP batsmen who reached the double figure. UP bowlers were wayward and conceded as many as 26 extras which helped AP pile 101 (all out) in 20 overs.

Vicky Pandey (three for 14) and Shakeel Ahmed (two for 12) were the most successful bowlers for Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier in the inaugural match, Indian Twenty20 Cricket Federation (ITCF) thrashed Bihar by four wickets in a low scoring game.

Allrounder Harish Garg first took three wickets for 15 runs as ITCF allowed Bihar to score only 90 for nine in their quota of 20 overs. Garg then blasted 46 runs to power his team to a win in 18.5 overs.

Garg and Charanjit (22) were associated in a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Harish hit five fours and one six while facing just 49 ball during his 61-minute stay at the wicket.

Brief scores: Group B: Andhra Pradesh: 101 all out in 20 overs (V Siva Nagaraju 10, A Venkatesh 8, Avinash Reddy 18, K Vasudeva Reddy 19, S Rasool Gouse 9, Vicky Pandey 3 for 14, Shakeel Ahmed 2 for 12, Pardeep 1 for 17, Ajay Chauhan 1 for 17).

Uttar Pradesh: 105 for 2 in 12.3 overs (Himanshu Vermani not out 25, Ajit Singh 51, Saurabh Singh 11, V Shiv Nagaraju 1 for 21, K Murali Krishna 1 for 17).

Group A: Bihar: 90 for 9 in 20 overs (Tarun Kumar 27, Avishek Ojha 19, Kundan Gupta 10, Chander Paul Saini 11, Rubal Kapil 2 for 13, Harish Garg 3 for 15, Umesh Kaira 1 for 17, Jagdish 1 for 15, Kulwinder 1 for 19).

Indian Twenty20 Cricket Federation: 91 for 6 in 18.5 overs (Harish Garg 46, Charanjit 22, Dhiraj 2 for 14, Avrind Jha 2 for 16).

Tomorrow's fixtures: UP vs Haryana (7 a.m.), ITCF vs Chattisgarh (10.15 a.m.), Haryana vs AP (1.30 p.m.) UNI XC DH BST2049