Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2018: Vohra, Mandeep Lead Punjab To Win; Yuvraj Scores 21

Punjab kept its hopes of qualifying for the next round alive as they handed Himachal Pradesh their second consecutive defeat. Yesterday, Delhi beat HP by full 10 wickets.

On the penultimate day of the league stage, Punjab batted first and posted a huge total of 211/4 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. Openers Mandeep Singh and Manan Vohra played a pivotal role as they both shared 108 runs for the first wicket in just 10.1 overs.

Mandeep missed a chance to score a half-century and was dismissed on 46. Vohra, though played a big innings and scored 74 runs in just 42 deliveries which included 10 fours and three sixes.

Handy scores from Yuvraj Singh (21), Gurkeerat Singh Mann (36* off 16) and Sharad Lumba (26) later in the game helped Punjab to post 211/4 on the board.

Experienced all-rounder, Rishi Dhawan leaked 57 runs in his four overs.

Himachal Pradesh had a good start in the chase to this total, but once again, when they were looking good for a big total, they lost a crucial wicket in the form of Ankush Bains who was run-out.

Prashant followed him soon after a period of few overs. Still, HP batsmen maintained a good run-rate as experienced campaigner Paras Dogra along with Nikhil Gangta (52* off 32) kept hopes of this team alive in the chase to the total but once these two were dismissed, HP’s chances to win the game came to an end.

Mayank Markande and Sandeep Sharma bowled well to keep their opponents out of the game.

With this win, Punjab acquired the second in the points table, and they now have 12 points with three wins and two losses.

Services have to defeat Delhi tomorrow in the last league stage game to qualify for the next round as they have a better NRR than Punjab. If Services lose against Delhi, then Punjab will be through. Delhi, despite losing tomorrow’s game, will be through next round as they have a strong NRR of 2.453.

Brief scores: Punjab 211/4 (Manan Vohra 74, Mandeep Singh 46; Kanwar Abhinay 1-33) defeat Himachal Pradesh 192/5 (Prashant Chopra 52, Nikhil Gangta 52*; Mayank Markande 2-35) by 19 runs. 

Brief scores: Haryana 141/6 defeat Services 140/8 by four wickets. 

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