West Bengal got the better of Uttar Pradesh by 75 runs today to bag the All India Postal cricket tournament title, hosted by Jammu and Kashmir for the first time.
Opting to bat first, West Bengal scored 152 for eight in their allotted 20 overs and then bundled out Uttar Pradesh for a meagre 77 in 18 overs.
Meanwhile, hosts J&K, who had managed to reach the semi-final of this tournament for the first time, finished fourth after they were beaten by Assam by nine wickets in the third-fourth place play-off match.
J&K's Asif Iqbal, who scored 165 runs in the tournament besides taking five wickets, was awarded the Man-of-the-Series.
The five-day event, which started on October 21 at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here, saw a total of 13 teams participating, which consisted more than 220 players and officials including those from the host state.
A total of 19 matches were played in the tournament at three designated grounds here.
Complimenting the Department of Posts for hosting the tournament in Srinagar, chief guest Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, said sports and games provide an opportunity to understand each other and strengthen the relations between people of different parts.
Ahmad and Chandra Prakash, Chief Postmaster General, Jammu and Kashmir, released a special cover on the 27th All India Postal Cricket Tournament 2013 brought out by the state circle.
Prakash said the Jammu and Kashmir Circle has taken many steps to improve the sportsmanship among the postal employees.
