da stake casino： Punjab’s Ranji Trophy team, on the crest of a wave after crushinginnings victories in their first two games, soared to 281/3 in theirlatest North Zone league tie against Haryana at Amritsar
Sankhya Krishnan11-Nov-2000Punjab’s Ranji Trophy team, on the crest of a wave after crushinginnings victories in their first two games, soared to 281/3 in theirlatest North Zone league tie against Haryana at Amritsar. OpenerManish Sharma’s 131 was the backbone of the Punjab effort while AKakkar and Pankaj Dharmani weighed in with half centuries.After winning the toss and batting, Punjab was assisted by the latearrival of Haryana wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra who had to rush from Indoreafter turning out on the previous day for National Cricket Academyagainst Zimbabwe. For the first session and a half, Haryana had onlyten men on the field. Punjab would have been in a similar predicamenthad they fielded first since they had on their rolls, Reetinder Sodhiwho also played in the afore-mentioned game against Zimbabwe.Manish Sharma who batted at No.6 and No.3 in Punjab’s first two gameswith conspicuous lack of success greeted his return to the openingspot with relish. After losing opening partner skipper Vikram Rathourat 36, Manish and Kakkar added 126 for the second wicket. Haryana’sRatra took over the wicketkeeping gloves from substitute Jasvir Singhafter the post-lunch drinks interval, and in the second over after thebreak, pouched Kakkar for 52.Manish and Dharmani added a further 89 for the third wicket before theformer’s five and a half hour occupation of the crease was terminatedby another Ratra catch. His 131, scored off 256 balls, was studdedwith 14 fours and 4 sixes. Dharmani who completed the quickest fiftyof the day (from 87 balls) and last game’s triple centurion DineshMongia took Punjab safely through to stumps. The hosts are without theservices of Ravneet Ricky who will be doing duty for the BoardPresident’s XI against Zimbabwe from November 13-15.