Deodhar Trophy: Priyank Panchal’s unbeaten 99 takes West Zone comfortably past North East | Cricket News – Times of India

Known for his patient approach in red ball cricket, the Gujarat right-hander surprised everyone with his aggressive intent in the limited-overs format. Panchal’s innings was filled with powerful hitting, as he smashed seven sixes and an equal number of boundaries during West Zone’s emphatic run chase of 208 runs in just 25.1 overs.
Opening alongside Panchal, Harvik Desai also played a brilliant attacking innings, scoring 85 off 71 balls with the help of 14 boundaries. The duo forged an outstanding 167-run opening partnership in just 21.1 overs, setting the foundation for the comfortable chase.

Panchal’s boundary shots were primarily directed square of the wicket, but he displayed his prowess in hitting sixes as well. Most of his seven sixes came in the arc between deep mid-wicket and long-on, with left-arm spinner Imliwati Lemtur being the unfortunate bowler conceding three of those sixes.
The foundation for the victory, however, was laid by the collective bowling effort of the West Zone bowlers. Fast bowler Arzan Nagwaswalla was the standout performer with figures of 3/31 in 7 overs, while experienced Mumbai left-arm spinner Shams Mulani also contributed significantly with 2/37 in his 10 overs. Their efforts restricted North East to a total of 207, and they were all-out in just 47 overs.
Overall, it was a comprehensive and dominating performance from West Zone, with Priyank Panchal’s extraordinary batting display being the highlight of the match.
In an opening round-robin league match of the Deodhar Trophy in Puducherry, skipper Priyank Panchal showcased a stunning display of aggressive batting, scoring an unbeaten 99 off just 69 balls to lead West Zone to a comfortable nine-wicket victory over North East on Monday.

Known for his patient approach in red ball cricket, the Gujarat right-hander surprised everyone with his aggressive intent in the limited-overs format. Panchal’s innings was filled with powerful hitting, as he smashed seven sixes and an equal number of boundaries during West Zone’s emphatic run chase of 208 runs in just 25.1 overs.
Opening alongside Panchal, Harvik Desai also played a brilliant attacking innings, scoring 85 off 71 balls with the help of 14 boundaries. The duo forged an outstanding 167-run opening partnership in just 21.1 overs, setting the foundation for the comfortable chase.
Panchal’s boundary shots were primarily directed square of the wicket, but he displayed his prowess in hitting sixes as well. Most of his seven sixes came in the arc between deep mid-wicket and long-on, with left-arm spinner Imliwati Lemtur being the unfortunate bowler conceding three of those sixes.
The foundation for the victory, however, was laid by the collective bowling effort of the West Zone bowlers. Fast bowler Arzan Nagwaswalla was the standout performer with figures of 3/31 in 7 overs, while experienced Mumbai left-arm spinner Shams Mulani also contributed significantly with 2/37 in his 10 overs. Their efforts restricted North East to a total of 207, and they were all-out in just 47 overs.
Overall, it was a comprehensive and dominating performance from West Zone, with Priyank Panchal’s extraordinary batting display being the highlight of the match.
After being put into bat, North East lost opener Anup Ahlawat (6) early in the third over to pacer left-arm seamer Arzan Nagwaswalla.
Fellow opener Nilesh Lamichaney (22) and Jehu Anderson (24) added 40 runs for the second wicket before the former fell to medium-pacer Atit Sheth in the 12th over.
The incoming batters struggled to build a solid partnership and North East were left tottering at 104 for 5 by the 28th over with skipper Langlonyamba Keishangbam (30) departing to pacer Shivam Dube.
By the 36th over, the side was reeling at 144 for 7 before Larry Sangma (16) and Lemtur (38) contributed to a brief 49-run stand for the eighth wicket.
The partnership was broken by medium-pacer Chintan Gaja in the 46th, while eventually, the team was bundled for 207 by the 47th over, with Lemtur being the top scorer, having struck five fours and a six.
Brief scores: North East 207 in 47 overs (Lemtur – 38; Nagwaswalla – 3/31) lost to West Zone 208/1 in 25.1 overs (Desai – 85, Panchal – 99*; Yong Lepcha – 1/29) by nine wickets.
(With PTI inputs)