Odisha notched up a hat-trick of wins at the league stage to secure a berth in the Super-Eight of the 5th Nagesh Trophy National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind in Ajmer, Rajasthan today. In their third Elite Group-C match at Lawrance & Mayo Public School Ground today, an unbeaten 82 by Lal Prasad Soren propelled Odisha to an eight-wicket win over Jammu & Kashmir.

Opting to bat, Jammu & Kashmir made a competitive total of 156 in the stipulated 20 overs with Mohammad Azeem hitting a half-century. Among leading wicket-takers for Odisha, captain Sukhram Majhi, Nakula Badanayak and Tapan Kumar Gouda picked up a brace each.

In reply, Odisha overhauled the target in 11.4 overs, losing two wickets in the process. Lal Prasad Soren struck 13 boundaries in his 38-ball unconquered knock of 82. He gave Odisha a solid start, putting up 136 runs in his opening-wicket partnership with Sukdev Soren, who slammed a 28-ball 55 with the help of 10 fours.

Lal Prasad was awarded as the Player of the Match. Odisha will play their fourth and last group league match agaisnt host Rajasthan at Lawrence & Mayo Public School ground tomorrow.

BRIEF SCORE: Jammu & Kashmir 156/10 in 20 overs (Mohd Azeem 56, Angrej 43; Sukhram Majhi 2/24, Nakula Badanayak 2/26, Tapan Kumar Gouda 2/31) lost to Odisha 159/2 in 11.4 overs (Lal Prasad Soren 82*, Sukdev Soren 55) by 8 wickets. PoM: Lal Prasad Soren.
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PHOTO: Lal Prasad Soren receives the Player of the Match award in the Nagesh Trophy Tournament in Ajmer on 16 February 2023.