Rameez, Aryaman combine to beat Punjab

Tribune News Service

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Mohali, September 16

An unbeaten 117-run partnership between Rameez Khan (86) and Aryaman Birla (63) helped Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) beat hosts Punjab by nine wickets in a practice match before the start of the Vijay Hazare Trophy season, at IS Bindra PCA Stadium here on Sunday. 

Chasing Punjab’s total of 261 runs, MPCA posted 262/1 in 47.4 overs. 

After winning the toss, the hosts started with Manan Vohra and Shubhman Gill. The duo started with a 31-run partnership. The partnership was broken by Ishwar Pandey as he accounted for Gill (22 off 27 balls, with three boundaries). Soon after, Vohra (11) also returned to the pavilion.

Skipper Mandeep Singh and Anmolpreet Singh raised a 14-run partnership to take the team’s total to 54, before Kartikeya Kumar accounted for Mandeep (12). Gurkeerat Singh returned without opening his account after falling prey to Ankit Khushwah.

Thereafter, Abhishek Sharma joined Anmolpreet and the duo started playing well to revive the team’s innings. They shared a 60-run partnership before Anmolpreet (47 off 50 balls, with two boundaries and two sixes) was claimed by Yash Dubey as the team’s total read 119. 

Sharma (36 off 49 balls, with two boundaries and one six) was next to go after falling to Mihir Hirwani. Thereafter, Gitansh Khera and Abhishek Gupta raised a 58-run partnership for the hosts to take the total to 193. Puneet Datey accounted for Khera (31 off 45 balls), followed by the wicket of Gupta (52 off 37 balls, with eight boundaries). 

At 222/7, Sharad Lumba (27) and Sanvir Singh (15) stitched together an unbeaten 40-run partnership to get to 261. Datey claimed two wickets for 57 runs, while Pandey (1/29), Kushwah (1/47), Kartikeya (1/15), Hirwani (1/57) and Saransh (1/31) took a wicket each.

In reply, MPCA scored 262 and won by nine wickets. Birla and Ankush Singh shared a 38-run partnership. Punjab pacer Arshdeep Singh claimed Ankush (15). Thereafter, Birla and Khan raised an unbeaten 117-run partnership to take the total to 155 runs. Birla scored 63 off 85 balls, with eight boundaries, before retiring. Khan, who was joined by Shubham Sharma, also opted to retire on 86 off 86 balls, with 13 boundaries. Shubham (48 off 56 balls, with four boundaries) and Yash Dubey (41 off 39 balls, with four boundaries) achieved the target in 47.4 overs.