NEW DELHI, January 22: An unbeaten 106 by Ashu Dani and his 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Mithun Manhas (50) helped hosts Steel Authority of India Limited XI beat Tata Sports Club by 11 runs to lift the SAIL Trophy at Bhilai, according to reports reaching here. This was SAIL's maiden triumph.Put in to bat under overcast conditions, SAIL lost three quick wickets for 17 runs as Tata speedsters Ajit Agarkar and Kannan kept a tight leash on the batsmen. But Dani and Manhas got together to redeem the position before Manhas was run out. Saurabh Shukla (37) and skipper Rajesh Chauhan (18) made sure the total reached the 250-run mark. Dani struck five fours in his unbeaten knock as SAIL finished at 255 for nine. Agarkar claimed four wickets.
Tata Sports Club also made a shaky start, losing the wickets of Manoj Joglekar, Surendra Bhave, N Shetty and Kiran Pawar to be precariously placed at 75 for five. Agarkar and Lalchand Rajput added 75 runs to stabilise the innings. Agarkar made 65 off 61
balls and his dismissal marked the end of the team's challenge.
Vijay Sharma was the most successful bowler for the winners with four wickets while Oniel Wilson had three for 28. Dani was named man of the match and Agarkar, with 14 wickets and two 50s was the player of the tournament.
SAIL received Rs 2 lakh while TSC got Rs 1 lakh. Surender Khanna and Rakesh Shukla were coach and manager of the winning team.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
