Ajay Ratra star as ONGC enter semis of 20-20 cricket

Chandigarh, Apr 30 (UNI) Star-packed Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) stormed into the semi-finals from four-team Group A league with an all-win record in the All India Prize Money Invitation Twenty20 Cricket Tournament.

It was ONGCs third successive win and collected 12 points to top the pool.

ONGC today trounced Himachal XI by seven wickets and later accounted for Minerva Cricket Academy whom they beat by 26 runs at the Sector 16 cricket stadium here.

Professional Cricket Club outplayed JJ's XI by four wickets for their second successive win in a Group B fixture played at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Sector 3 Panchkula. From two matches, Professional CC have collected eight full points.

After suffering a setback by losing their opening match in Group B encounter, All India Electricity Sports Control Board (AIESCB) defeated Moody ICL XI by 25 runs. It was their first triumph from two matches.

A strokeful unbeaten innings of 63 by Ajay Ratra and his 105-run third wicket association with Rizwan Shamsad (51) helped ONGC beat Minerva Cricket Academy by 26 runs . Wicket-keeper batsman Ajay Ratra was declared the man of the match.

Batting first ONGC made 178 for 5 in 20 overs. After losing three wickets for 41 runs, ONGC were bolstered by Ajay Ratra and Rizwan.

They flayed the Minerva bowlers and took their total to 146 before Rizwan departed.

Rizwan stayed at the wicket for 62 minutes and hit seven four.

Ratra and Sumit (15) steered their team to win. Ratra made 63 in 49 balls and hit eight fours and occupied the crease for 79 minutes.

Minerva CA replied with 152 for 4 in 20 overs. Anupam topscored with 71 runs. In association with opener Abhinav (49, 5x4s) Anupam contributed 72 runs for the third wicket stand. Gaurav remained not out on 21.

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