North Zone emerge Deodhar Trophy champions

A fiery spell by Joginder Sharma (6/40) helped North Zone drub West Zone by five wickets to retain the Deodhar Trophy here on Wednesday.

The final between the two star studded teams was a low scoring affair on a seaming wicket which also played low. After winning the toss, the decision to bat first on a lively wicket backfired on West Zone.

Former India pacer Joginder Sharma unleashed a fiery spell and Ishant Sharma (3/22 lent him good support to send West Zone packing for a modest 101 in 26.3 overs.

It was a late surge from Iqbal Abdullah (28) which helped West Zone get past the three figure mark.

In reply, North made a steady start before losing a few wickets quickly but the small target did not test them much. Ravi Inder Singh (43) and Paras Dogra (34) played resolutely to help North Zone reach 107 for 5 in 29.1 over and retain the title.

For West Zone, Jaidev Unadkat took 2 for 17 while Dhawal Kulkarni and Iqbal Abdullah got one wicket each.

West Zone: 101 all out in 26.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 16, Iqbal Abdullah 28; Joginder Sharma 6/40, Ishant Sharma 3/22). North Zone: 107 for 5 in 29.1 overs (Ravi Inder Singh 43, Paras Dogra 34; Jaidev Unadkat 2/17, Iqbal Abdullah 1/19).