SMOOTH JOB: Sub-Collector Ch. Bhanu Prasad flicks a ball for a four in the match between district Collector's XI and Electronic Media XI for the Ikon Cup-2007, in Vijayawada on Saturday.

VIJAYAWADA: Sunday will witness the clash of the officials on turf. With the District Collector's (DC) XI registering an emphatic nine-wicket win against the Electronic Media (EM) XI on Saturday, the stage is set for the grand finale between the C.V. Anand-led Commissioner of Police XI, which thrashed the Print Media XI on Friday, and the Navin Mittal-led DC XI for the Ikon Cup - 2007 at Siddhartha Medial College grounds.

In a below-par performance resembling that of their print counterparts, the members of the Electronic Media XI bowed out of the contest without sweat.

The DC XI, which included Joint Collector S. Suresh Kumar, Sub-Collector Ch. Bhanu Prasad, District Minority Welfare Officer K. Siva Shankar and Vijaya Kumar, successfully restricted the EM XI to 69 in 18.1 overs. The bulk of the runs came in the form of extras. David (4 for 17) and Narasimha (4 for 12) were lead wicket takers for the DC XI. Siva Shankar chipped in with a brilliant catch to dismiss the in-form Venkat.

District Collector Navin Mittal, who attended the inaugural function, could not play due to official compulsions, and so was Municipal Commissioner Natarajan Gulzar.

Cameraman excels

The only batsman in the EM XI who showed certain amount of resilience was Siti Cable's cameraman Venkat (18), while others had no clue of the bowling prowess of the rival team.

The chasing was not all that difficult, as the DC XI raced to 20 in just two overs. Subba Rao (16) and Siva Shankar (16) gave their team a flying start. Bhanu Prasad (9) and Suresh Kumar (8) too contributed with their astute singles in the middle overs.

Hotel D. V. Manor managing director D. Nagendra Prasad and Siddhartha Medical College principal Ashok Kumar were some of the special invitees who witnessed the match along with Krishna Electronics proprietor V. Nagarjuna.

With the CP XI looking formidable, the DC XI is likely to have a tough contest on hands on Sunday.

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