Punjab lost their last five wickets for 20 runs but did enugh to take first innings lead against Delhi in their final Ranji Trophy encounter, here today.
Punjab finished their first innings on 263 in reply to Delhi's 249 thereby getting a first innings lead of 14 runs.
However, Delhi were 48 for no loss in their second innings with an overall lead of 34 runs. However Punjab needs an outright win to qualify after losing their last game to Odisha and for that need to keep Delhi under check in the second innings.
Today, Punjab were comfortably placed at 243 forf ive before the collapse started and the home team lost five wickets for 20 runs in exactly eight overs.
For Punjab Mandeep Singh (82) was the top-scorer while Gurkeerat Singh Mann (57) and Himanshu Chawla (50) also made useful contributions.
Left-arm spin duo of Varun Sood (4/73) and Manan Sharma (3/51) shared seven scalps amongst them while off-spinner Shivam Sharma got two for 26.
Brief Scores: Delhi 249 and 48/0 (Unmukt Chand 28 batting). Punjab 263 (Mandeep Singh 82, Gurkeerat Singh Mann 57, Himanshu Chawla 50, Varun Sood 4/73, Manan Sharma 3/51).
