Tura, Apr 23: With 99 teams participating, a two-week long sporting extravaganza PA Sangma Memorial Day & Night Cricket Tournament got off to a flying start at Police Parade Ground in Tura on Tuesday.
The third edition of the tournament, one of the biggest in Garo Hills, carries a prize money of Rs 3 lakh. It will culminate with the final match to be held on May 5.
Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma, PHE minister Marcuise N Marak, West Garo Hills DC Jagdish Chellani and SP AT Sangma attended the inaugural function that also featured an exhibition cricket match between the dignitaries and committee members.
In the inaugural match, Durabanda Rising IX defeated One Shot by 66 runs with the winning side’s Anjoy Ch Marak bagging the man of the match award.
This year, the tournament has introduced two new features – Power Play and Impact Player Rule – to make the competition more intense and strategic.
The first three overs of each innings will be designated as Power Play and during this period, only two fielders will be allowed outside the 20-yard circle.
Besides, each team can name one Impact Player at the toss. The Impact Player can be brought in any time — either to bat or bowl (but not both if already out or bowled) and only one substitution is allowed per match.
The number of participating teams in the tournament has grown over the years – from around 70 in the first instalment, 92 in the second and 99 this year.
