Kanpur: Army XI emerged victorious in the Sindoor cup, defeating MP XI by 9 wickets in a match played under floodlights at Green Park stadium on Sunday.Due to rains, the match commenced late and it was decided to conduct the game with 12 overs per innings. MP XI, after opting to bat first, posted a total of 95 runs in 12 overs. In response, Army XI achieved the required 96 runs for the loss of one wicket in 10.1 overs.Brig. Shabrul Hasan and police commissioner Akhil kumar gave Army XI a flying start, amassing 78 runs for the opening wicket in just 7.2 overs. Subsequently, Akhil Kumar and Gaurang Rathi saw the team through to victory. Akhil kumar remained unbeaten on 54, which included one six and eight boundaries, while Rathi finished not out on 11 runs.Earlier, captain Manoj Tiwari and Abhijeet Sanga opened MP XI’s innings, adding 40 runs for the first wicket. Manoj Tiwari scored 30 runs with two boundaries and three sixes, while Sanga contributed 17 runs. For Army XI, Additional commissioner of police Manish Sonkar claimed four wickets.The match was inaugurated by defence state minister, Sanjay Seth. The Army band entertained the spectators present in the stadium, even as rain showers continued, by presenting patriotic songs. Afterwards, members of both teams played football before the cricket match commenced. Defence state minister Sanjay Seth and Manoj Tiwari met the family of Shubham, who was shot dead by terrorists in Pahalgam recently.UPAA selects new patron: The Kanpur Uttar Pradesh Athletic Association (UPAA) has nominated former MP, Dhananjay Singh as patron of the organisation in its general house meeting held in Lucknow on Sunday.Addressing the house, Dhananjay Singh said that all 40 secretaries must work together for the welfare of the association.
