St Saviour, Jersey: IndiaFirst Life Insurance brand ambassador Pushkar Sharma once again proved why he’s one of Kenya’s most dependable batters, crafting a commanding 78 off 102 balls in a rain-affected encounter against Papua New Guinea during the 2025 ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League A at Grainville Cricket Ground, Jersey.
After Papua New Guinea won the toss and elected to field, Kenya made the most of the conditions, posting a competitive 275 for 8 in 50 overs. Sharma, opening the innings, led from the front with 12 crisply timed boundaries, anchoring the innings with poise and flair.
He was well supported by experienced campaigners Rakep Patel (57 off 64) and Jasraj Kundi (52 off 39), who helped accelerate the scoring rate during the middle and final overs. Papua New Guinea’s bowling was led by Kabua Morea, who finished with 2 for 45 from his 10 overs, providing key breakthroughs but struggling to contain the Kenyan charge.
In reply, PNG reached 53 for 2 in 14.3 overs when rain brought an abrupt end to the contest. Hila Vare remained steady on 28 off 48 balls, while all-rounder Jasraj Kundi chipped in with the ball, taking 1 for 6 in his 2 overs. Although the match ended in a no result due to persistent rain, the spotlight remained on Pushkar Sharma – a rising figure in associate cricket and a proud ambassador for IndiaFirst Life Insurance.
Match Summary:
Kenya – 275/8 (50 overs)
Pushkar Sharma 78 (102), Rakep Patel 57 (64), Jasraj Kundi 52 (39)
Kabua Morea 2/45 (10)
Papua New Guinea – 53/2 (14.3 overs)
Hila Vare 28 (48)
Jasraj Kundi 1/6 (2)
Result: No Result (Rain)
Venue: Grainville Cricket Ground, St Saviour, Jersey, United Kingdom
Tournament: 2025 ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League A
Umpires: Nitin Bathi (Netherlands), Gazi Sohel (Bangladesh)
फाइनल मुकाबले के बाद आयोजित पुरस्कार वितरण समारोह में बतौर अतिथि बिहार प्लेयर्स एसोसिएशन के अध्यक्ष श्री मृत्युंजय तिवारी, हरिशंकर रवि (एनएसडी स्नातक एवं नेशनल अवार्डी), छोटे लाल सिंह (सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता), विनोद कुमार सिंह (समाजसेवी), सुनील कुमार (समाजसेवी) और राकेश कुमार चंद्रवंशी (समाजसेवी) खिलाड़ियों को पुरस्कृत किया। कार्यक्रम का संचालन राष्ट्रीय उद्घोषक मृत्युंजय झा ने किया जबकि स्कोरिंग की जिम्मेदारी हिमांशु ने निभाई। अंपायर राजेश रंजन और बैजनाथ प्रसाद थे। सबों का स्वागत और धन्यवाद व्यक्त आयोजक संस्था के संस्थापक सचिव संतोष तिवारी ने किया।
