Sports India

Sourav Ganguly was back among runs, making an unbeaten 44 for Northamptonshire who beat Worcestershire by nine wickets in a Twenty20 cup match at New Road.

Chasing a paltry target of 87 in 20 overs, the former India captain, who opened the innings with Usman Afzaal, hit five fours in his 53-ball knock.

He added 68 for the unbroken second wicket stand with David Sales who remained unbeaten on 34. The visitors achieved the target in 16.3 overs.

Zaheer Khan, playing for Worcestershire, bowled three unsuccessful overs giving away 15 runs.

Earlier, the hosts elected to bat on winning the toss, but the decision backfired as the team was bowled out for 86 in 19.3 overs. Matthew Nicholson and Ben Philips reduced them to 18 for six and it was Zaheer Khan`s top-score of 26 which helped the hosts reach the score they did.

Ganguly also chipped in with the wicket of Zimbabwean Ray Price in his spell of four overs which cost 21 runs.