Punjab produced a fine bowling effort before their batsmen just about held their nerve to carve out a three-wicket win against Haryana on the third day of their low-scoring Group A match of the Ranji Trophy here today.
Overnight 117/5, Haryana were bowled out for 155 today, leaving Punjab a paltry target of 135 to chase. The hosts overhauled the target after much struggle to grab the six points.
Sandeep Sharma was the star with the ball for Punjab as he snared six wickets for 50 in his 17.2 overs. VRV Singh also chipped in with figures of 3/50 to round off a fine bowling performance by the home team.
The top-scorer for Haryana in the second innings was Avi Barot, who made 31 off 87 deliveries, including four hits to the fence.
Punjab made heavy weather of the chase but eventually pulled through to win the match with a day to spare.
The hosts found themselves a wicket down even before a single run had been scored. The wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals before Sandeep (37 not out) turned out to be the hero with the bat as well.
He shared a 71-run seventh wickets stand with Gurkeerat Singh (37) to take the home team past the finish line.
Sandeep's knock came off 65 balls and included a couple of boundaries. Gurkeerat was the more aggressive of the team, hitting three fours and a six in his 38-ball stay at the crease.
For Haryana, Mohit Sharma and Harshal Patel snapped up three wickets apiece.
Brief Scores:
Haryana: 163 and 155
Punjab: 184 and 135/7 in 45 overs (Sandep Sharma 37 not out, Gurkeerat Singh 37, Mohit Sharma 3/38).
