A friendly match is still a game which is usually played with some desire to perform well and win. Not if the match is between IAS XI and CM XI in Uttar Pradesh. After all, the IAS officers have now lost their friendly T20 clash with Akhilesh Yadav's side for four consecutive years - showing consistency in losing akin to minnow nations in international cricket.

LUCKNOW: A friendly match is still a game which is usually played with some desire to perform well and win. Not if the match is between IAS XI and CM XI in Uttar Pradesh. After all, the IAS officers have now lost their friendly T20 clash with Akhilesh Yadav's side for four consecutive years - showing consistency in losing akin to minnow nations in international cricket.

The most recent match between the two teams took place at the La Martiniere pitch in Lucknow and was attended by several celebrities including Mandira Bedi. Many though felt that it was a match like they have never seen, thanks to its rather comic overtones. Not one bowler from IAS XI could stop Akhilesh from hitting 65 runs courtesy 11 boundaries and a six. The bowler who finally did get his wicket looked shockingly crestfallen as he held his head and covered his face. Most of the remaining batsmen failed to score more than 10 runs but that did not stop CM XI from scoring 126 runs.

The chase in contrast was strong. Too strong perhaps. With just 3 needed from two overs, IAS XI somehow managed to collapse and hand the match to the opposition. "We tried really hard and fought well but the bowling improved in the last few overs. That's why the win slipped from between our fingers," said a beaming chief secretary Alok Ranjan.

Akhilesh too beamed at the final outcome and was declared man of the match - for the fourth consecutive year. "I will obviously thank my team for the win but would also like to thank chief secretary and his team. I hope we keep getting their support like this in the future," he said.

Indeed, if cricket is a gentleman's game, none can be gentler than the members of IAS XI in UP.

