In the opening game of the 2015 Niagara Cricket Festival, Indian Cricket Academy XI scored 193 runs for the loss of 4 wickets from 20 overs against Niagara Elites. Dhirah Paul lead the way with 100 before being caught with his team on 141/3 in the 17th over. Ishan Malhotra chipped in with 43* from 15 balls in the closing overs. Chandran Madan made 30.
Dhirah Paul’s 100 came from 61 balls and included 10 boundaries and 5 sixes. Paul and Madan added 92 for the 3rd wicket.
In reply Niagara Elites were all out for 84 after 13 overs and lost by 109 runs.

Three Niagara batters reached double figures (Qaiser Aftab, opener, 14; Saqib Rehan, batting at four, 12; and number six Sikkander Zubbair made 16). Sumit Kalia took 3 wkts for 9 runs from 3 overs. Rajesh Sharma took 3/24, also from 3 overs).
The Niagara Cricket Festival website includes ball-by-ball internet commentary and scoring. This game is being played at the Niagara Cricket Centre, Thorold, Ontario. Group A games continue at the ground on Saturday when Niagara Elites play the Ontario Australian Football League XI (1pm) followed by Indian Academy XI v Ontario AFL XI (4pm).
Group B begins on Saturday morning at John N Allan Park, Niagara Falls, Ontario with the game between Crescent CC and Hamilton CC (10am). Crescent then play Smart Choice (1pm), and the group concludes with Smart Choice v Hamilton CC (4pm).
The top two from each group progress to Sunday morning’s semi-finals (one at each ground, 9.30am starts). The winning semi-finalists meet in Sunday afternoon’s championship game (3.30pm) at the Niagara Cricket Centre.
The cricket final follows the Bhangra dance competition at the NCC.