da realbet： A record 96 run last wicket stand between Harbhajan Singh and Bharat Bhushan puthosts Punjab in a commanding position in their Ranji Trophy North Zoneencounter against Haryana at Amritsar on Sunday
da fezbet： Sankhya Krishnan12-Nov-2000A record 96 run last wicket stand between Harbhajan Singh and Bharat Bhushan puthosts Punjab in a commanding position in their Ranji Trophy North Zoneencounter against Haryana at Amritsar on Sunday. Off spinnerHarbhajan, not particularly known for his prowess with the bat, strucka breezy career-best 84 as his part of the bargain, besides snatching a wicketlate in the day to leave Haryana very much on the defensive.When Punjab resumed at 281/3, medium pacer Vineet Jain dismissedDinesh Mongia off the first ball of the day. The 23 year oldlefthander who just last week caned the Jammu & Kashmir attack for anunbeaten 308, had no such success on this occasion, falling for 12.Reetinder Sodhi’s first three scoring strokes were boundaries but hisominous intent was not converted into a big score. The allrounder fellfor 25 to offspinner Pankaj Thakur who also removed wicketkeeperHarminder Jugnu cheaply.Pankaj Dharmani had showed great fortitude in moving to 89 (178 balls,12 fours) and his departure right on the heels of Jugnu at 359 was agrave setback for Punjab. Two more wickets fell before Harbhajan andBhushan joined hands. In just over two hours, the duo added 96 withHarbhajan being much the dominant partner, belting 8 fours and 3 sixesin his 102 ball knock. It took part time off spinner Sanjay Dalal toget rid of him with the score at 486, Bhushan returning undefeated on30. Jain and Thakur were rewarded with three wickets apiece.In reply Haryana closed at 41/1, the casualty being opener JasvirSingh for 16. Play ended five overs early due to bad light. P Sehrawat and Ishan Ganda will resume battle on Monday as Haryana strive to wipe out the imposing first innings deficit.
