Vijay Hazare Trophy: Punjab enter knock-out stage

New Delhi: Punjab recorded 84 runs win over Himachal Pradesh in their last North Zone league match played at SSCB New Delhi ground and qualified for the knock-out stage of Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

Winning the toss, Punjab skipper Harbhajan Singh opted to bat first. Punjab scored 217 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. Gurkirat Mann 59 off 43 balls, Mandeep Singh 34 off  56, Chandan Madan 22 off 43 balls and Taruwar Kohli 31 off 30 balls with two sixes were the main run getters for Punjab.  For Himachal Rahul Singh three for 38, R.R. Dhawan two for 44 were the main wicket takers.

In reply HPCA was bundled out for 133 in 41.5 overs. They were helped in their cause by A.S. Bali 26 off 55 balls and R.R. Dhawan 43 not out in 51 balls. For Punjab, Manpreet Gony two for 23, Rajwinder Singh five for 20 and Bipul Sharma 2 for 31 were the main wicket takers. Punjab won by 84 runs and with this win Punjab qualified for knock-out stage at No.2 position in the North Zone with 16 points, whereas Delhi with 19 points tops the table.

Brief scores:
Punjab: 217 for 8 in 50 overs (Gurkirat Mann 59, Mandeep Singh 34, Chandan Madan 22, Taruwar Kohli 31, Manpreet Gony 11 not out, Rahul Singh 3 for 38, R.R. Dhawan 2 for 44)

HPCA: 133 all out in 41.5 overs (AS Bali 26, RR Dhawan 43 not out, P.S.Chopra 18, Manpreet Gony 2 for 23, Rajwinder Singh 5 for 20, Bipul Sharma 2 for 31)