CAB 1st Div. League: Bhawanipur defeat East Bengal by 143 runs to win maiden title

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Bhawanipur cricketers after winning their maiden CAB 1st Division title at JU 2nd Campus on Friday. Image Source: Xtra Time

Kolkata: Bhawanipur club created history today by winning their maiden CAB 1st Division League title at the JU 2nd Campus ground. They defeated East Bengal by 143 runs to emerge as the champions. The win also helped Bhawanipur avenge the loss against the same opponents to whom they lost the AN Ghosh final.

Chasing a target of 337 runs to win, East Bengal was bundled out for 193 runs in 65.2 overs. Aritra Chatterjee was the wrecker in chief taking 5 wickets for 66 runs while Ravi Kant Singh retuned with figures of 14/4. Writam Porel was the top scorer for the losers scoring 60 runs.

Bhawanipore rode on a brilliant century by Parthasarathy Bhattacharya (139) to score 336 runs. Both Partha and Writtick put on a partnership of 172 runs for the third wicket. The Bengal opener scored a brilliant innings in the semi final against Kalighat as well.

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Bhawanipur cricketers (from left) Ravi Kant Singh, Aritra Chatterjee, Partha Sarathy Bhattacharya and Writtick Chatterjee. Image Source: Xtra Time

According to Coach Abdul Monayem, “I knew we had a great team this season. They did well to reach the final of AN Ghosh trophy. I could sense a fighting spirit among the boys, an eagerness to do well. They were much focused to do well. This win is a slap on the face of those who hire outstation players to participate in local club matches. The win also goes to show that our local boys are also competent to win matches on bigger stage.”

The club secretary Srinjoy Bose announced an incentive of Rs 1lakh to the players and support staff. He also voiced the same opinion requesting the association to put a check on the influx of outstation cricketers.

According to Srinjoy Bose, “My request to CAB President Sourav Ganguly is the Bengal team should not be selected on the basis of CAB votes. For the betterment of Bengal cricket this practice should be stopped with immediate effect. The emphasis should be to select the best talent for the state team irrespective of the clubs they play for.”