Harshwardhan powers Nizamabad to Kaka Memorial Telangana Inter-District T20 title

Harshwardhan Singh’s scintillating half-century and his 86-run partnership for the second wicket helped Nizamabad cruise to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Khammam in the final of the Kaka Venkataswamy Memorial Telangana Inter-District T20 League at the Gymkhana in Secunderabad on Saturday.

Chasing 115 for victory, Harshwardhan turned the game into a one-sided affair as Nizamabad replied with 115 for three with eight overs to spare.

Though he lost his partner Srikar Reddy Yedla (2), who was caught by Shaik Azhar off Lokesh Goud, with just 15 on the board, Harshwardhan was unfazed and along with Ajith punished the Khammam bowlers.

The wicketkeeper-bat showed his prowess with the willow as he struck nine fours and three sixes in his 37-ball 69.

He and Ajith had added 86 for the second wicket which sealed the issue. Their partnership came in 8.4 overs with Harshwardhan doing the bulk of the scoring.

Ajith fell after Nizamabad crossed the 100-run mark. He was caught by Shiva Nagendra Naidu off Vishal Yadav after making 38, which came off 26 balls and contained five fours and a six.

Harshwardan, who had hit a mighty six to bring Nizamabad on the verge of victory, wanted to finish off the game with a six but perished. He hit a Seelapogu Vamsi delivery straight down Vishal Yadav’s throat at long off to end an entertaining knock.

M Sai Pratheek (1) finished the formalities as skipper Vikram Jadav (1) too remained unbeaten.

Earlier, Khammam, electing to bat first, lost opener Mohammed Rizwan (12) with 16 on the board. The other opener Harshit Reddy (10) too didn’t last long, and Khammam were reduced to 36 for two. Thereafter, Khammam stumbled and lost their way. Though No.3 bat Vishal Yadav held fort for some time while making 31 off 23 balls with two fours and two sixes, Khammam were never in the reckoning to make a comeback.

Nizamabad bowlers were right on top and never allowed Khammam batters any leeway or room to score runs.

From 67 for three, Khammam lost seven wickets with the addition of 47 to the total. Khammam were bowled out for 114 in 19.5 overs.

M Sai Prateek was the wrecker-in-chief as he took three for 11 in his four overs. Skipper Vikram Jadav took two for 18 and D Rahul Yadav claimed two for 29.

State minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy speaks at the closing function of the Kaka Venkataswamy Memorial Telangana Inter-District T20 League at the Gymkhana in Secunderabad on Saturday. Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Dr G Vivekananda are also seen 

Sainad hammers century to help Nalgonda finish third

Nalgonda scored a comprehensive 84-run win over Adilabad to clinch the third position.

Batting first, Nalgonda had a disastrous start as they lost openers Jashwanth Yadav (0) and skipper Gnana Prakash (0) with just one on the board. However, Sainad Pagidimarri and Srinath Yadav strung a match-winning 156-run partnership for the third wicket. Sainad smashed a 38-ball 121 with five fours and 13 sixes and Srinath scored a 28-ball 58 with nine fours and two sixes. Nizamabad ended up with 232 for six in their 15 overs.

In reply, Adilabad were restricted to 148 for eight with Mohammed Asfan scoring an unbeaten 55 (31 balls; 5×4, 3×6) and A Santosh making 44 (26 balls, 5×4, 2×6). Bobba Bharath Reddy took three for 23 for Nizamabad.

Brief scores: Final: Khammam 114 in 19.5 overs (Mohammed Rizwan 12, Harshil Reddy 10, Vishal Yadav 31, Bunny 18, Mahesh Chowdary 13; M Sai Pratheek 3/11, Vikram Jadav 2/18, D Rahul Yadav 2/29) lost to Nizamabad 115/3 in 12 overs (Harshwardhan Singh 69, Ajith 38).

3rd place playoff: Nalgonda 232/6 in 15 overs (Srinath Yadav 58, Sainad Pagidimarri 121; Ismail Ahmed 2/27, P Mathews 2/37) beat Adilabad 148/8 in 15 overs (A Santosh 44, Mohammed Asfan 55; Boyinapalli Goutham 2/28, Bobba Bharath Reddy 3/23).