Match between Balasore Baghas and Cooperative Kings, Dhenkanal in progress at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Monday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Bhubaneswar, May 30: Berhampur Bhanja Veers clashed with Puri Emperors at their home ground, the Railway Stadium here today. Electing to bat first, the Bhanja Veers set a target of 156 runs for the loss of four wickets at the end of 20 overs.

Powerful hitter, Aloke Sahu was the highest scorer of the first innings with 68 runs off 55 balls. Prashant Sahoo contributed 28 runs from 25 deliveries. Till reports last came in, Puri Emperors were tottering at 37 runs for five in 7.2 overs.

Another match between Cooperative Kings Dhenkanal and Balasore Baghas was held at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Rains delayed the start of the game. After winning the toss, the Balasore team chose to bat first and scored 122 runs for six in 20 overs. Abhinash Rout was the top scorer with 37 runs while captain, Subhrajit Sahoo made 30 runs.

In yesterday’s match, Katak Barabati Tigers (Cuttack) sealed its fourth consecutive victory by defeating Kashvi Power Rangers (Keonjhar) by 59 runs. Batting first, the Cuttack team posted 165 runs by losing five wickets in 20 overs, which is the highest score in the tournament so far. Skipper, Biplab Samantaray, who had emerged as the costliest player during the player auction, smashed 109 (not out) runs off 63 balls.

Biplab’s blitzkrieg knock included 11 boundaries and four sixes. In reply, the Keonjhar side fought hard to achieve the target but could manage to score 116 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Captain, P.R. Sinha scored 36 runs while Cuttack’s Manoj Barik was the highest wicket taker who scalped three wickets.

On Saturday, Bhubaneswar Jaguars registered its first victory in four matches against Cooperative Kings Dhenkanal at the Railway Stadium. The Jaguars had scored 137 for eight in 20 overs. Though Haldhar Das played an impressive knock of 73 runs, the Dhenkanal team could not avoid a loss and scored 104 runs for the loss of six wickets at the end of their 20 overs. In other matches held that day, Angul Tuskers beat Puri Emperors by 5 wickets, Western Samurai (Rourkela) overpowered Berhampur Bhanja Veers by 25 runs while Balasore Baghas defeated Kashvi Power Rangers (Keonjhar) by 46 runs.

After the match on Sunday, JSP Sparks (Jagatsinghpur) is leading Group A with four points with a net run rate (NRR) of +1.94, followed by Western Samurai (four points), Puri Emperors (two points), Angul Tuskers (one point) and Berhampur Bhanja Veers (zero). Cuttack is leading Group B with a total of eight points and NRR of 3.18. Balasore and Bhubaneswar have earned three points each while the former has a better NRR. Cooperative Kings Dhenkanal and Kashvi Power Rangers (Keonjhar) have got two points each.