Pataria shines with cracking half-century

The match, played on Friday at Vasantnagar Ground, was reduced to 10 overs per side due to a wet pitch. Invited to bat first, Lokmat posted a huge total of 136 for 4 in the allotted 10 overs. He smashed an unbeaten 94 runs off just 39 balls, hitting nine fours and seven sixes. Nitin Shrivas contributed 15 runs, while Sarang Walawtkar added 12. For Sakal, Sachin Belwalkar claimed two wickets. In reply, Sakal could manage only 92 for 7. Nitin Baitule top-scored with 44 runs off 19 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes). For Lokmat, Devendra Sadavarti took 3 wickets for 26 runs, while Sharad Mishra picked up 2 wickets for 22 runs. Pataria also claimed one wicket.

For his outstanding all-round performance, Pataria was awarded the 'Player of the Match' trophy by senior sports journalist Suhas Nayse. Having already secured a place in the semifinals, Lokmat finished at the top of the points table with this win. The final league match of the tournament will be played on Sunday between Dainik Bhaskar and Tarun Bharat.