Chandigarh: Punjab cricket team defeated Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) to retain the all-win record during the last north zone league match of the ongoing Vinoo Mankad Trophy being held at Delhi.

Punjab defeated HPCA by 55 runs to gain five points, including a bonus. Earlier batting first, Punjab was bowled out on the total of 215 runs in the allotted 50 overs.

Skipper Manan Vohra and Ankit Pursharthy made 55 runs for the first wicket before Manan was bowled out after scoring an individual score of 31 runs.
Ankit Pursharthy (49) and Vikramdit (50) were other noticeable scorers for the team. Akash Vashist was the pick of the bowler for three for 32, while Nikhil Gangta and Rahul Chara took two wickets each.

In reply, HPCA was bowled out for 142 runs in 49 overs. Prashant Chopra (25) and Nakulraj (38) were the main scorers, while for Punjab, Sandeep Sharma took three for 30.

Punjab ended with 20 points to head the north zone league and entered the knock-out stage of the tournament to be played at Mysore.

Brief scores:
Punjab: 215 in 50 overs .
HPCA: 142 in 49 overs (Prashant Chopra 25, Nakulraj 38; Sandeep Sharma 3 for 30, Veerkanwar 2 for 36, Kamalpassi 2 for 22, Rahul Kanojia 1 for 15).