The much waited, T-20 cricket tournament, outside of what’s watched on television in this valley, the Barak Premier League, Season – II, kick started on Wednesday at Silchar’s District Sports Association’s ground.
In a simple ceremony held under the aegis of its title sponsor, Valley Strong Cements, and hosted by Silchar Veteran Cricketers Club (SVCC), the tournament was declared open by Barak Valley Cements Limited and its marketing manager, Anand Bhattacharjee.
After a beautiful rendition of Ganesh Vandana, hoisting of SVCC’s flag, and releasing of balloons, all in orange, white and green, the tournament got started with its first match being played between Kalain Eagles and Udharbond Transformers.
In this match, Udharbond Transformers, after being put in to bat by Kalain Eagles, posted 146 for six in their 20 overs. Kalain Eagles failed to reach the target and were bundled out for 129 runs, losing the match by 17 runs. Bonodeep Chakraborty was declared the most valuable player of this match, while, his teammate, Shombhu Roy, won the man of the match award for Udharbond Transformers.
In the second match of the day, Dudpatil Dragons, locked horns with Karimganj Kings XI, wherein, a brilliant ton, the first for this season in this tournament, was scored by Dipankar Aditya of Karimganj Kings XI. He scored 104 runs in just 66 balls. His knock helped his side win quite convincingly and by a huge margin of 97 runs. Dipankar grabbed both the awards of most valuable player and the man of the match.
While Karimganj Kings XI scored, batting first, 185 for 6 in their 20 overs, Dudpatil Dragons could only manage 88 runs in their stipulated 20 overs, losing seven of their wickets.
On Thurday next, Trinayanee Borkhola Rangers would play their first match in the morning against Udharbond Transformers, while, the second match would be played between Karimganj Kings XI and Lakhipur Super Kings in the afternoon.
In all, ten teams are taking part in this tourney from the three districts of Barak valley.
“The winners would take home, not just a trophy, but also, a sum of Rs 50,000, while the second placed team too would get a trophy as well as Rs 25,000,” said, Niranjan Das, chairman, organizing committee of this tournament talking to Northeast Now.
President of Silchar Veteran Cricketers Club, Bijendra Prasad Singh, who are hosting this tournament for the second year running, talking to our correspondent, said, “Players who have represented their State, are coming from Delhi, Bengal and Assam. This is a great platform for our local players to rub shoulders with them and learn a few things. This tournament would generate the tone and skill sets for players of this valley.”
The finals of this tournament would be played under flood lights on February 17 next.