……….while his team mate, the in-form opening batsman Manan Vohra, slams his second century of the tournament

ENJOYING a rich form with the bat, Manan Vohra once again rose to the occasion and struck his second century of the tournament to help Chandigarh record an exciting three wicket win over Mohali on the last ball of the last league match of the Punjab State Under 22 Cricket Tournament played at the Sector 16 Cricket stadium on Wednesday.

Resuming from their overnight score of 6 for no loss, Chandigarh lost opener Amit Prashar (9) and skipper Simrat Bawa (3) in quick succession early in the morning. Then, in the company of Anil Sihag, Manan stitched a third wicket partnership of 75-runs before Sihag perished while going for a shot and was caught in the slips by Yuvraj off the bowling of Arshdeep for 28 runs. Another fruitful stand of 52 runs for the fourth wicket between Manan and Ankit Kaushik helped the team make a good recovery before Navneet was caught by Navneet off Gunjot’s bowling for 21. Manan, who had earlier scored a century against Kapurthala, completed his century (108) off 183 balls with the help of eight boundaries. His 220 minute vigil came to an end when he was snapped by Yuvraj off Arshdeep’s bowling with the team’s total score reading 198 for 5.

Still left with plenty of work to do, Anupam Gambhir and Gurinder Singh got together and were involved in a match-winning stand of 135 runs for the seventh wicket as the team reached 351 in 93 overs. Gambhir was unlucky to miss out on a century when he was run-out for 88 off 128 balls. Gurinder continued in similar fashion while Anshul Tripathy gave him good company at the other end. In fact, it was Anshul who hit a last-ball six to help the team win. Gurinder remained unbeaten on 92 off 94 balls. With the win Chandigarh topped Pool A with six points.

Brief scores :

Mohali (1st innings): 377 all out; Chandigarh (1st innings): 380 for 7 in 95 overs (Manan Vohra 108, Gurinder Singh 92 no, Anupam Gambhir 88, Anil Sihag 28, Ankit Kaushik 21, Arshdeep Brar 3 for 118, Gunjot 2 for 71)

Taruwar bats Jalandhar to win

A GOOD batting performance by Taruwar Kohli coupled with some useful partnerships helped Jalandhar beat Patiala on the basis of first innings lead in the match played at Jalandhar.

Continuing from their overnight score of 40 for 1, Jalandhar mustered 322 for 4 in 95 overs. Skipper Kohli once again came out with guns blazing and struck a majestic unbeaten century to see the team through. Earlier, Robin Singh and Kohli put on 77 runs for the third wicket before Robin was castled by Jeevanjot Singh for 69. Then Abhishek Gupta and Kohli stitched a fruitful 86-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and later an unbeaten stand of 67 runs between Kohli and Love Kumar for the fifth wicket saw the team win. Kohli remained unbeaten on 116 off 180 balls which included ten boundaries and two huge sixes. Love Kumar made 28 runs off 63 balls. Jalandhar has now seven points after winning all the three matches and entered the semi-finals.

Brief scores :

Patiala (1st innings): 308 all out in 82 overs; Jalandhar (1st innings): 322 for 4 in 95 overs (Taruwar Kohli 116 no, Robin Singh 69, Abhishek Gupta 48, Pargat Singh 32, Love Kumar 28 no, Kunwar Raina 2 for 75)

Amritsar thrash minnows Mansa

AFTER skittling minnows Mansa for 131 in their first innings and then piling up a big score, a win was always round the corner for Amritsar. On the second day, Amritsar completed the formalities by thrashing Mansa by innings and 11 runs.

Amtisar made 331 in 76 overs after they resumed from their overnight score of 176 for 3. Sharad Loomba scored 95 runs, while Aman Bharti completed a five-wicket haul.

In their second innings, Mansa batsmen once again failed to get going and were bundled out for 189. Gurpreet Singh top scored with 53 runs. Charanjit Singh took three wickets.

Brief scores :

Mansa (1st innings):131 for all out in 50.2 overs; Amritsar (1st innings): 331 all out in 76.1 over (Sharad Loomba 95, Mohit Handa 55, Charanjit Singh 55, Aman Bharti 5 for 80, Manpreet Singh 3 for 80); Mansa (2nd Innings): 189 all out in 47 overs (Ashish Rana 58, Gurpreet Singh 53, Lakshay Seth 4 for 59, Charanjit Singh 3 for 42).

Baltej, Deepak set up win

SUPERB bowling performances by their bowlers handed Ludhiana a win on the basis of first innings lead during their match against Kapurthala. In the first innings, Baltej Singh took eight wickets, while Deepak Bansal claimed five wicket in the second to set up an easy win.

Resuming from their overnight score of 57 for 5, Kapurthala were bowled out for 106 in 25.2 overs. Following on, Kapurthala scored 378 for 9 in 65 overs. After losing three wickets for just 31 runs, Kapurthala were bolstered by a 99-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Rohit Jassal and Krishan. Thereafter, Krishan and Mandeep Singh put on 97 runs for the sixth wicket. Later on, Krishan and Suraj were engaged in 91-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Krishan was the fulcrum around which their batting revolved as he finally perished after an outstanding knock of 197 off 172 balls.

Ludhiana got 2 points on 1st innings lead and qualified for the semi finals.

Brief scores :

Ludhiana 399 for 8 in 95 overs; Kapurthala (1st innings): 106 all out in 25.2 overs (Mandeep Singh 42, Baltej Singh 8 for 47, Deepak Bansal 2 for 48); Kapurthala 2nd innings 378 for 9 in 65 overs (Krishan 197, Rohit Jassal 41, Mandeep singh 42, Suraj no, Deepak Bansal 5 for 95).

Chandigarh will clash with Patiala at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala while Jalandhar will take on Ludhiana at Burlton Park, Jalandhar. The 4-day semi finals will be played from May 28 to 31.