07/06/2026
Amir Sohail smashes first century of All India Gufran Memorial Cricket Tournament, powers Young Star Club to convincing win
BY ABID PAMPORI
Doda: Riding on a scintillating century by Amir Sohail (107 off 51 balls, 15x4s, 5x6s), Young Star Cricket Club, Sazan cruised to a 38-run victory over Sky Kings Cricket Club, Doda to begin their campaign at the 16th All India Gufran Memorial Cricket Tournament on a winning note. This was the first century of the tournament this season.
The prestigious tournament, which is being held for the first time after 2019, is sponsored by Indian Army, J&K Bank, Jammu Kashmir Police, Zum Zum Sweets among others. It is being organised by Young Star Cricket Club under the banner of Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan.
Young Star Sazan captain Haroon Batt won the toss and elected to bat. The decision proved right as his team smashed 201/8 in the allotted 18 overs.
The team from Sazan was struggling at 49/4 and then at 77/5 before Sohail took charge. In what was a display of perfect batting sense, Amir Sohail farmed the strike and guided the tail. He was helped by ordinary performance by Sky Cricket Club on the field, who made several errors including dropped catches and no-balls. There were seven no-balls in the innings. Irshad picked 4/16 in his four overs.
In response, Sky Cricket Club struggled with the bat despite a good start. From 56/2 in the sixth over, the home team was reduced to 102 for seven in 10 overs. The pressure of a big target had definitely affected the chase as they were restricted to 163/9 in 18 overs. Nadeem Ahmed scored 52 off 27 balls (6x4s, 3x6s) while Danish Ganie scored 34 off 26 (3x4s, 1x6) for Sky club. Abid Batt was the most successful bowler for Sazan with 2/21.
Sohail was named Player of the Match.
In an earlier game, played on Saturday night, Youngsters Cricket Club, Bhalla thrashed Zain Cricket Club by eight wickets. Zain folded for 148 in 19.1 overs. Irfan Lone top-scored with 37 while Imran Lone scored 27. Sharif Butt was the wrecker-in-chief as he returned with figures of 5/16 in four overs.
The Bhalla boys chased the target in 17.4 overs losing just two wickets. Yawar Khan scored 57 off 43 balls (6x4s, 2x6s) while fellow opener Kapil made 43 off 30 balls (6x4s).
Sharif Butt was presented the Player of the Match Award by Sarshad Natnoo, Ex-BDC Chairman and Rouf Ahmad Batt, Executive Engineer PDD Department.