Omar Abdullah congratulates J&K team for reaching Ranji Trophy 2013-14 quarter-final

Omar Abdullah congratulates J&K team

New Delhi: Jan 2, 2014

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the state cricket team for reaching the quarter-final stage of the Ranji Trophy cricket tournament for the first time ever.

“Congratulations to the J&K cricket team for reaching the quarters of the Ranji trophy. 1st time since 2000 so well done chaps,” Abdullah said.

In a fantastic achievement, the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team qualified for Ranji Trophy quarter-finals for the first time since 2000, following a draw against Tripura in their final Group C league match at Agartala.

In 2000, Jammu and Kashmir had reached the knock-out stage of the Ranji Trophy for the first time by making it to the pre quarter-finals.

The J&K team had taken the first innings lead and the draw was an expected result in Agartala. With three points from the tie, J&K ended tied on 28 points with Goa but qualified on the basis of their marginally better point quotient.

J&K had a quotient of 1.006 as against Goa’s 1.005 after ending the fourth and final day at 87 for two while chasing 228.

J&K will play against Punjab at Baroda from January 8.

Union minister and J&K Cricket Association president Farooq Abdullah complimented the state cricket team for reaching the last-eight for the first time.  “This is the hard work of the boys and able guidance [of] coach Bishan Singh Bedi,” Abdullah said.

He expressed hope that the boys would be doing good job in the quarter-final against Punjab at the Moti Baug ground in Baroda from January 8-12.