Prestigious Khangchendzonga Shield 2022 A Division Cricket tournament concludes with Black Eagles SAP defending the champion trophy. The Finals of the Division A league tournament was played between Black Eagles SAP and Alpine Sporting club here today at SICA ground, Mining, in which Black Eagles SAP won the match by 31 runs.
Black Eagles won the toss and opted to bat first and Eagles sets a target of 250 runs. Contributing to the score tally in the first inning Atharva Kale, guest player of Black Eagles remained not out and scored 152 runs in 117 balls smashing 6 sixers and 20 fours.
In second inning of the finals Sandeep Tomar of Alpine Sporting Club Gangtok scored 56 runs hitting one sixer and 6 fours in 49 balls. Tushya Naman of Black Eagles SAP took 4 crucial wickets which eventually won the match.
Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA) despite bad weather conditions completed its season 2021-22 on time. The tournament which started on May 19 with total of 10 teams in the A division league ends today. IRISES Cricket Club and Yuksum Capitals have been relegated from the Division A. Similarly, Pakyong Cricket Club and Shaft Stars are promoted to the Division A of Khangchendzonga Shield men’s tournament.
Speaking with Sikkim Chronicle, Lobzang T Bhutia said, “I must give hats off to district committee and support staff for holding back to back A-Division, B- Division, C-Division league and for successfully concluding this cricket season on time. Also, I am extremely happy that the work force of SICA is up to my expectation, this is because of years of hard work and dedication”
On asking President SICA about the growth in players by conducting cricket activates in the state “Definitely there has been a growth in cricket culture in Sikkim since more players are coming up and players are getting to play more matches, players are getting exposed to top level coaching and I think as administrator it becomes our duty to give better facilities and best coaching to our players” he replied
On asking about SICA’s future plan in developing infrastructure, he replied, “If the government gives us land, then we will construct two more grounds. The indoor facilities having gyms, pools amounting to almost Rs 10cr is in verge of completion”
Winning team caption Palzor Tamang expressed his joy over wining the trophy for two consecutive seasons, “This season all our matches were tough, and we paved our road to final with hard work and dedication, and I am happy that we won at last” he shared
“The Sikkim Cricket Association has been working at its best in terms of providing us match time and a beautiful ground to play at. For this, I would like to express my gratitude towards SICA executives and also to the ground support staff who has been working restlessly despite the bad weather conditions. On top of everything I would like to give special thanks to Vice President SICA for supporting and motivating us “shared Mandup Bhutia, Vice-Captain Black Eagles SAP
Mandup Bhutia is also the only player to set hat trick in the tournament by taking 3 wickets in the semifinals.
Similarly, Nilesh Lamichanay, Skipper of Alpine Sporting club stated, “We started good, but the opponent played well. We will prepare for next season, we will bank some new players and give our best next season”
Atharva Kale (Black Eagles SAP) was awarded as highest run scorer in the tournament with 514 runs in 6 innings, likewise Tusya Naman Sharma (Black Eagles SAP) was awarded with the highest wicket taker in the tournament with 14 wickets in 6 innings. Likewise, Sonu Kumar Singh of JBCC was awarded with player of the tournament.
