Punjab in strong position in Vijay Merchant trophy

Patiala, Nov 27 (UNI) Punjab are in a strong position against the depleted Haryana outfit in the Inter-State Vijay Merchant Trophy (Under-16) on the penultimate day here today.

Overnight 328 for the loss of five wickets, Punjab batsmen sent the Haryana bowlers on a leather hunt, and declared after amassing 452 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Mohit Handa scored a sparkling century (139) which was studded with fourteen fours.

Ankit Pursharthi was unlucky to miss the century when he succumbed on 94. Gauravpreet Singh, who was unbeaten on 44 yesterday, too fell short by 9 runs to score a ton. Sandeep Sharma scored 38.

For Haryana, Mohit Maan toiled hard to bag 4 wickets, conceding 101 runs, and Roshan Saini took 3 for 111.

In reply to Punjab's huge score, Haryana could not withstand the penetrative Punjab bowling and were reeling on 147 for 9 in 66 overs at close of play. Gurkirat Singh harrowed the Haryana batsmen to scalp four wickets, giving away just 42 runs.

Vinay Chowdhary was a perfect foil to Gurkirat, capturing 3 wickets, conceding only 9 runs and Vikramdit took 2 for 23.

Haryana faces innings defeat if the weather gods do not intervene as a rescue act tomorrow.

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