Media XI beat defending champions Bureaucrats XI in the final by 20 runs to regain the trophy in the Tata Steel Cricket Festival, which was held at East Coast Railway Stadium here today.
Chasing a stiff target of 144 for victory, the bureaucrats could make 123 for seven in the stipulated 15 overs. Subhranshu Padhi of Media XI hit an unbeaten 32 to be adjudged the man of the match.
Earlier in the semifinals, Media XI (72/5 in 10 overs) prevailed over Tata Steel (71/6 in 10 overs) by five wickets, while Bureaucrats XI (59/3 in 10 overs) got the better of Politicians XI (54/4 in 10 overs) by seven wickets.
`Dharitri` editor Tathagat Satpathy handed over trophy in the presence of Tata Steel (Odisha) vice-president Hrideyeswar Jha. Faizal Ali, Pradosh Baliarsingh (both Media XI); Saswat Mishra and Debi Prasad Biswal (both Bureaucrats XI) bagged individual awards as best bowler, best fielder, best batsman and man of the tournament respectively. Midia XI stumper and opening batsman Srinivas Panda received a special prize.
Brief score (Final): Media XI 143/4 in 15 overs (Subhranshu Padhi 32 n.o, Srinivas Panda 30, Faizal Ali 23 n.o) beat Bureaucrats XI 123/7 in 15 overs (Saswat Mishra 38 n.o, Devi Prasad Biswal 32).
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PHOTO: Mediamen celebrate after winning the Tata Steel Cricket Festival in Bhubaneswar on Dec 18, 2011.