BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, who retired from active cricket in 2012, was seen once again padding up and unleashed his silken off drives and over-the-top shots at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata when his team took on Secretary Jay Shah’s team in the AGM Festival match.
The 15-overs-a-side match at the Eden Gardens, held on the eve of the Board's AGM, had its share of nostalgia. The match saw Mohammad Azharuddin, the president of Hyderabad Cricket Association also turning back the clock and showing his wristy flicks once more.
Playing the role of a finisher, Ganguly, who batted at No. 6, smashed two sixes and four boundaries en route to a 20-ball 35. He had to retire, as per the rules of the match, and his team fell short by just a run.
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At Ganguly's home ground, it was the BCCI secretary Shah who did the star turn, picking 3 wickets with his spin bowling to defend 128 on a nippy December evening.
Jay Shah removed Mohammad Azharuddin, Goa Cricket Associations Suraj Lotlikar, and CAB president Avishek Dalmiya.
Earlier, electing to bat, BCCI Secretary's XI rode on a 92-run partnership between Arun Dhumal (36) and Jaydev Shah (40) to post 128 for three in the stipulated overs. Azharuddin and Ganguly shared the new ball.
Ganguly returned with 1/19 from his 3 overs, taking the wicket of Pranav Amin, while Azharuddin had figures of 2-0-8-0.
Brief scores:
BCCI Secretary's XI: 128/3 in 15 overs (Jaydev Shah 40 retired, Arun Dhumal 36, Jay Shah 10 not out; Sourav Ganguly 1/19) beat BCCI President's XI 127/5; 15 overs (Sourav Ganguly 35 retired, Mohammad Azharuddin 2, Avishek Dalmiya 13; Jay Shah 3/58) by one run.
