Services came up with a fine bowling and fielding display to register a comfortable 63-run win over Rajasthan in their opening Group A match of the Bijay Hazare One-Day cricket tournament, here today.
Invited to bat, Services rode on half-centuries from opener Nakul Verma (68) and middle-order batsman Yashpal Singh (75 not out) to post a not-so-impressive 230 for seven in their 50 overs.
Besides Nakul and Yashpal, Suraj Yadav hit a quick-fire 30-ball 44 towards the rear end to take Services to a decent total.
Upcoming pace sensation Nathu Singh (4/42) impressed with a four-wicket haul for Rajasthan.
The target set by Services was not a stiff one and Rajasthan looked in control at 110 for three in 26.2 overs before the chasing side kept losing wickets at regular itervals to make life difficult for themselves.
After a wobbly start which saw them lose both their openers at 40 in 8.3 overs, Puneet Yadav (52) and former Delhi cricketer Rajat Bhatia (36) stabilised Rajasthan's innings with a 70-run stand to keep their team alive in the contest.
But it was not to be as thereafter not a single Rajasthan batsmen showed intent as wickets kept tumbling like of pack of cards to be eventually bowled out for 167 in 41.3 overs.
For Servies, Rajat Paliwal (2/10), Suraj Yadav (2/31) and Diwesh Gurdev Pathania (2/39) shared six wickets between them.
By virtue of this win, Services pocketed four points from the match.
Brief Scores:
Services: 230 for seven in 50 overs (Yashpal Singh 75 not out, Nakul Verma 68; Nathu Singh 4/42).
Rajasthan: 167 all out in 41.3 overs (Puneet Yadav 52; Rajat Paliwal 2/10).
