The Bengal T20 League today got off to a bright start as Sri Aroop Biswas, Minister in Charge Youth Services and Sports, in presence of CAB President Avishek Dalmiya, Sri Satbir Singh, Hony Secretary Snehasish Ganguly, Jt Secretary Debabrata Das and Chairman BOA Ajit Banerjee were present to unveil the trophy and the jerseys of all the participating clubs earlier in the day.
CAB President Avishek Dalmiya said: “The Bengal T20 Challenge has been organized keeping all protocols in mind in the times of new normal. The players and support staff have been put in a bio bubble and all Covid protocols have been maintained. As we are committed to cricket we needed a tournament to bring them back to the ground, but it was always safety first for our cricketers and hence we have left no stones unturned to ensure that the tournament progresses without any hiccup.”
In the very first match of this new tournament, Mohun Bagan faced Calcutta Customs. Manoj Tiwary hit a swashbuckling 39-ball 61 as Mohun Bagan picked a facile 17 run victory over Customs.
Customs won the toss and put Mohun Bagan to bat. Shedding the initial rustiness returning to game time after eight months, Mohun Bagan scored 156 losing five wickets. In reply Customs could only manage 139 for 6 in the stipulated 20 overs.
Customs began well reducing Bagan to 50 for three, but a fourth wicket partnership between Manoj Tiwary and Shivam Sharma turned the tide in Bagan’s favour. It was in this time that Manoj was at his destructive best as he hit 5 fours and 3 sixes enroute his 61 off 39 balls. Vivek Singh also played a handy knock of 35 off 29 deliveries with four boundaries and two sixes.
While talking about the game Manoj said: “I am happy to score half- century. I tried to utilize my experience and we got the result in our favour. It felt good to be back to the field again. Cricket has started again, nothing can be better than this.”
Despite a fighting effort from the Customs, they couldn’t win it for their team. Abhishek Das scored 55 runs but in a failed attempt. Bapi Manna took two wickets for Customs while Sandipan Das (Jr) and Sayan Ghosh took two each for Bagan.
Courtesy – CAB Media