United India, Oriental set up title clash

Mumbai, Nov 17 (UNI) United India Assurance and Oriental Insurance set up a title clash following contrasting semi-final wins, in the 1st All India GIC Re Cup Cricket Tournament here today.

United India ended hosts GIC Re's winning streak with a crushing 273-run win in the first semi-final, while Oriental overcame an early collapse to rally to a thrilling four-wicket win over New India Assurance in the other semi-final.

Man of the match Muthu Pandiyan smashed exactly 100 and was associated in a 103-run partnership with Russell Radhakrishnan for the fifth wicket, as United India amassed a mammoth 342 for six in their allotted 45 overs to put the pressure on GIC Re and snatch the advantage, at the PJ Hindu Gymkhana.

In contrast, Oriental, chasing 110 for victory, recovered from a precarious 54 for six to rally to an exciting win over New India at the adjacent Parsee Gymkhana.

After man of the match Arun Singh Yadav snared a brilliant seven for 45 to skittle New India for 109, Vinod Kini (38 n o) and Jerome Gonsalves (20 n o) put on an invaluable unbeaten 59 for the seventh wicket to steer Oriental to victory.

Brief Scores: At PJ Hindu Gym: United India Assurance : 342 for six in 45 overs (Muthu Pandiyan 100, Russell Radhakrishnan 59, Abhay Murgud 50; Shekhar Amberkar 2-49) bt GIC Re 69 (Vikas Bhatkar 6-12, G Jaikumar 2-11) by 273 runs. MoM: Muthu Pandiyan.

At Parsee Gym: New India Assurance : 109 all out in 26.5 overs (Mangesh Darekar 22, Jagdish Shetty 20; Arun Singh Yadav seven-45) lost to Oriental Insurance 113 for six in 31.5 overs (Vinod Kini 38 n o, Rashid Ali 24, Jerome Gonsalves 20 n o; Jagdish Shetty 3-24, Mangesh Darekar 2-42) by four wickets. MoM: Arun Singh Yadav.

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