Malkangiri: The inter-state T20 cricket tournament final was halted midway due to monsoon rains at Pedakonda Panchayat under Malkangiri district headquarters, where the tournament had been underway since the 12th of the month. The final match was scheduled to take place on the 28th.
The final was to be played between Little Star from Pendulabai village near MV 79 and Balaji Star from Malkangiri. However, the match had to be stopped due to persistent rainfall.
Prior to the match, a meeting was held. Among the dignitaries attending as chief guests were Malkangiri MLA Narsingha Madkami, Chhattisgarh Sukma BJP President Dhaniram Barse, former MLA candidate Swayam Muka, General Secretary Bijay, Malkangiri SP Binod Patil, Sub-Collector Duryodhan Bhoi, and social worker Duryodhan Patra.
More than 10,000 spectators from three states had gathered to witness the match. The guests were escorted to the tournament venue by the Ambedkar Youth Association of Pedakonda in a grand procession.
Due to the rain forecast, the organizing committee had earlier decided to shorten the final match to a limited number of overs. Balaji Star from Malkangiri won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring a total of 148 runs in 16 overs.
In the second innings, Little Star from Pendulabai near MV 79 scored 73 runs in 7.2 overs before heavy rain interrupted play. With mutual consent from both teams, the match was suspended.
Since the rain did not subside by evening, the rescheduled date for the incomplete final match will be announced later. The organizing committee informed both team captains accordingly.