CHANDIGARH:Despite Ramandeep Singh slamming a brilliant century (100, 12x4s) and his 122-run sixth wicket partnership with Abhinav Sharma (66, 6x4s, 2x6s) Punjab XI were beaten by 28 runs by Punjab Red in the second of the three finals series in the PCA Trident Cup Championship at the Inderjit Singh Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali today.
Chasing a target of 259 for victory in the 50-over-a-side match, Punjab XI were dismissed for 230 in 47.1 overs. For Punjab Red Ikjot Singh Thind (2 for 44), Preit Dutta (2 for 39), Sumit Sharma (2 for 47) and Deepin Chitkara (2 for 42) frustrated the Punjab batsmen to achieve the victory target.
Ealier, Punjab XI won the toss and decided to chase. Punjab Red piled up 258 before being bowled out in 48.1 overs. Mandeep Inder Bawa (15) and Vishwanath Pratap Singh (31) gave them a good start by putting a 42-run partnership for the opening wicket stand.
Kunwar Pathak (21) and top scorer Salil Arora (77 , 6x4s, 1x6) were associated in a 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket. They took the score to 137 before this partnership was broken.
Ikjot Singh Thind (55, 6x4s, 1x6) and Sumit Sharma (12) propped their innings as they stitched a 45-run valuavle partnership for eighth wicket partnership.
Ramandeep Malinga (3 for 32), Vijay Choudhary (3 for 38), Gurnoor (2 for 43) and Abhinav Sharma (2 for 31) were the wicket takers for Punjab XI.
Brief scores: Punjab Red: 258 in 48.1 overs (Mandeep Inder Bajwa 15 Vishwanath Pratap Singh 31, Salil Arora 77, 6x4s, 1x6, Kunwar Pathak 21, Deepin Chitkara 14, Ikjot Singh Thind 55, 6x4s, 1x6, Sumit Sharma 12, Ramandeep Malinga 3 for 32, Vijay Choudhary 3 for 38, Gurnoor 2 for 43, Abhinav Sharma 2 for 31).
Punjab XI: 230 in 47.1 overs (Prabhjot Singh 10, Ramandeep Singh 100, 12x4s, Parth Aggarwal 17, Gaurav Chaudhary 20, Abhinav Sharma 66, 6x4s, 2x6s, Ikjot Singh Thind 2 for 44, Preit Dutta 2 for 39, Sumit Sharma 2 for 47, Deepin Chitkara 2 for 42).