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Punjab overhauls a big target

Sports Reporter

Bipul saw Punjab home with an unbeaten 61
Haryana, Services also recorded wins

SIRSA: Punjab successfully chased a mammoth target to beat Delhi by six wickets in the North Zone one-day limited overs tournament, for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, at the Shah Satnamji cricket stadium here on Friday.

It was Punjab’s first win in two matches and Delhi’s first loss in two.

A day before, Punjab coach Bhupinder Singh had said that even 300 runs would not be “safe.”

His batsmen proved it as Punjab, chasing 339, achieved the mission with five balls to spare.

In other matches, Haryana won its second match defeating Himachal Pradesh by 100 runs at Rohtak and Services overcame Jammu and Kashmir by seven wickets at Gurgaon.

Big opening stand

On a batting-friendly track, Delhi openers — Shikhar Dhawan (83, 70b, 11x4) and Unmukt Chand (74, 59b, 10x4, 1x6) — justified captain Virat Kohli’s decision to bat and gave a strong start to the side by putting up a 153-run stand.

After Dhawan’s departure in the 21st over, Kohli (71, 68b, 4x4, 2x6) joined the run feast and set the stage for his team to score a 300-plus total.

Punjab banked on Jaskaran Singh’s impressive showing to make a comeback in the last 10 overs. Jaskaran, who captured four wickets, once again emerged as the best bowler for his side. It would have been even better effort by Punjab but for Manpreet Gony’s final over, which cost 17 runs and helped Delhi reach 338 for nine.

Ravi Inder sparkles

Punjab’s reply was robust. The opening pair of captain Ravi Inder Singh (98, 104b, 9x4, 1x6) and Karan Goel (63, 74b, 9x4) laid a solid foundation by stitching together 124 runs.

The two won appreciation because of their timing and selection of shots.

Ravi Inder built another crucial partnership — worth 75 runs — with Mandeep Singh (73, 57b, 4x4, 2x6) before being run out.

It was Bipul Sharma who saw Punjab home with his unbeaten 43-ball 61. Dropped on 29 by Kohli, Bipul nicely executed three hits to the fence and three more above it Delhi paid the price for its sloppy fielding.

The scores: Delhi 338 for nine in 50 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 83, Unmukt Chand 74, Virat Kohli 71, Jaskaran Singh four for 72) lost to Punjab 342 for four in 49.1 overs (Ravi Inder Singh 98, Mandeep Singh 73, Karan Goel 63, Bipul Sharma 61 not out).

Haryana 188 in 49.2 overs (Pradeep Sahu 47, Joginder Sharma 43, Kuldeep Diwan five for 39) bt HP 88 in 33.3 overs (Sanjay Budhwar four for 27).

J&K 232 for nine in 50 overs (Ian Dev Sing 112) lost to Services 234 for three in 48.1 overs (Jasvir Singh 112 not out, Yashpal Singh 63).

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