Secunderabad won the Jiji Irani Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament for the second consecutive year in November 2010. With Jamshedpur, Secunderabad and Surat tied at three wins each, Secunderabad, captained by Jamsheed Hormusjee, clinched the title on a better runs-per-wicket average. The Tournament is played every year between the Parsis of Calcutta, Nagpur, Jamshedpur, Secunderabad/Hyderabad and Surat who were the hosts this year. The Challenge Cup was instituted in memory of the late Jiji Irani, known as the father of cricket in the Vidharba district of Maharashtra, by his daughter Diana Hormusjee and his son Dr Jamshed Irani, director of Tata Sons.
Winning Secunderabad team at the Jiji Irani Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament
Varzavand Debara, top scorer for Secunderabad with 176 runs in four matches, was the batsman of the series. He also won awards for the most number of catches (four) and most sixes (seven). Other stars for Secunderabad were Khushal Jilla and Hormusjee who scored 137 and 124 runs respectively and took wickets as well. Jilla, who is a state level cricketer, also pocketed the fastest 50 (off 32-balls) prize for his team. Bowling consistently, Percy Irani won the Shireen Hormusjee award for the most promising youngster. Minoo Siganporia officiated as the winning team’s coach-cum-manager.