Jaswal, Saini star in Board President’s XI win over England Lions

The England Lions was bowled out for a modest 104 in 22.3 overs and the target was overcome by the Board President’s XI in 21.2 overs.

Pankaj Jaswal claimed four wickets for 16 against England Lions.

The quest of England Lions to win a match, prior to the five ODIs against India A starting on Wednesday, came to nought as the Board President’s XI continued with its winning streak into the second warm-up game at the St. Xavier’s stadium, Thumba, on Sunday.

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Having won the opening tie by a margin of four wickets on Friday, the home side once again dominated the 50-overs game before romping home by five wickets. The visitor, which was asked to bat first, was bowled out for a modest 104 in 22.3 overs and the target was overcome by the Board President’s XI in 21.2 overs.

It was the incisive spell of P.P. Jaswal, which proved to be the doom for the young Lions, as the Indian medium-pacer ran through the rival top order with a spell of four for 16 in six overs. He was supported well by Navdeep Saini, who too finished with a haul of four wickets (for 32 runs) in eight overs. Only the Lions’ skipper Sam Billings stood among the ruins, scoring a quicksilver half century (52 off just 56 balls) before the Indian bowling duo ran through the rest of the batting.

In reply, the Indian side was forced with a few hiccups early on as James Porter proved to be a thorn by removing both the openers quickly, Rajat Patidar and Rituraj Gaekwad, before dismissing one-drop Ricky Bhui. The Board President’s XI was, thus, reduced to 36 for three before skipper Ishan Kishan and Deepak Hooda joined together to put up a 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

However, when the going seemed great for the home side, Porter returned to dismiss Ishan and Himmat Singh off successive balls (in the 18 over) and got to what was a well-deserving five wicket haul in a nine-over spell. But, Hooda hardly gave anything away thereafter and he pushed his side past the winning line in the company of Jayant Yadav.

Brief scores: England Lions 104 in 22.3 overs (Sam Billings 52, P.P. Jaswal four for 16, Navdeep Saini four for 32) lost to Board President’s XI (Deepak Hooda 36 not out, Ishan Kishan 34, James Porter five for 36).