Jaffer assault inspires TCA rout of Media XI

It was a blitzkrieg that did not merely send the bowlers on the leather hunt but made a mockery of the stuff delivered by bowlers when Jaffer launched a brutal onslaught and steered Telangana Cricket Academy (TCA) to a comprehensive 92-run win over Electronic Media Sports Journalists XI in a lopsided showdown at Lal Bahadur Stadium on Friday.

The match was held as part of the State Formation Day celebrations. Electing to bat, the TCA batsmen went for the kill from the first ball with player of the tournament Jaffer slamming eight massive hits over the ropes. TCA posted 180 runs for the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 15 overs leaving the opponents demoralized.

Chasing an improbable target, the scribes fell like nine pins. They managed to make only 88 for the loss of eight wickets.
Shiva Krishna Gundra was declared as the best bowler of the match.

Earlier, inaugurating the match, after releasing the jerseys, Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav and Mayor Bonthu Rammohan reassured the government’s commitment to usher in a vibrant sports policy that would take the State to the top of the national ladder.

Both of them hoped that efforts would be made to ensure that many disciplines would be promoted in right earnest. Only supporting cricket would not be an appropriate measure, they contended.

Badminton Dronacharya S M Arif called upon journalists to be unbiased in their reporting and accord equal importance to all games.
TCA President Shekhar Perala said that the Association would launch full-fledged programmes so as to tap the talent that exists in the ten districts.

Former Indian volleyball captain, Ravikanth Reddy also spoke on the occasion. Brief scores: TCA 180 for four wickets (Jaffer 106, Shiva Krishna Gundra 2/30) bt Electronic Media Sports Journalists 88 for the loss of eight wickets.