Yuvraj Singh shines as Punjab thrash Haryana

Patiala, Dec 10: Riding on a brilliant batting show by Indian discard Yuvraj Singh, Punjab today thrashed Haryana by 120 runs in the Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match, here today.

Man-of-the-match Yuvraj made it count for the Mandeep Singh-led Punjab by scoring 59 and a brilliant 130 in the first and second innings respectively. Looking to pick up the final seven wickets on the fourth and final day of the encounter, Punjab bowlers completed the formalities by packing Haryana for 200 runs early in the third session.

Getting behind a 321-run chase, Haryana started Wednesday on 26 for three and it was only Sachin Rana (86) who put up some fight as Punjab pace spearhead Sandeep Sharma, left-arm spinner Rajwinder Singh and leg-spinner Sarabjit Ladda picked up three wickets each. (J&K create history in Mumbai)

Earlier, Yuvraj with his 160-ball stay - laced with 14 fours and 5 sixes, helped Punjab post 330 for six declared in the second innings.

Haryana off-spinner Jayant Yadav did his bit by picking up six wickets in the first innings to restrict Punjab to 273 and then scored an unbeaten 51 to help the visitors post 283 and get a 10-run lead. But the match slipped from Haryana's clasp from there on as Punjab batsmen did enough to bag six points.

Brief Scores

Punjab 273 and 330/6 declared (Yuvraj Singh 130, Amitoze Singh 65, Amit Mishra 2-58) Haryana 283 and 200 all out in 60.5 overs (Sachin Rana 86; Sandeep Sharma 3-30, Rajwinder Singh 3-54, Sarabjit Ladda 3-76).

Points: Punjab 6 Haryana 0

PTI