Shivam, Arpit put city boys in control

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 23

Shivam Bhambari scored a solid 94 before Arpit Singh Pannu compiled a sedate half-century to help Chandigarh amass 318 runs against Ludhiana on the opening day of their Punjab Inter-district U-23 Championship match at the PCA Stadium in Mohali today.  

Electing to bat, Chandigarh had a cautious beginning as they lost Arjit Singh Pannu for just 38. The opener was cleaned up by Navendu Sharma after playing a guarded 12-run knock. 

Bhambari and Jasnoor Singh Pannu then steadied the ship with a 79-run stand for the second wicket. The duo was separated when Nikhil Chaudhary caught Pannu off Dipin Chitkara for 38. Talwinder Singh could manage only 12 runs before he returned to the hut. 

Meanwhile, Bhambari, who was joined by Arpit Singh Pannu, looked all set to score a century, but the youngster felt to his impetuosity as he tried to get the better of off-spinner Sandeep Singh. Bhambari's 157-ball stay in the middle included eight boundaries.

With the side losing their fourth wicket for 182, it was left to Arpit and Jagmeet Singh Bhullar to put the side back on track. The two added 42 runs for the fifth wicket before Bhullar was dismissed for 24. 

Arpit, though, held the forth from the other end as he stitched a useful 56-run partnership with Karan Azad to take the total to 285 and also brought his half-century.

Azad was bowled by Sukhjinder Singh after he scored a valuable 32. 

Arpit was the next man to go, caught by Sandeep Singh off Nikhil Chaudhary for 77. 

Tail-enders Nipun Pandita (8), Jagjit Sandhu (2) and Anirudh Kanwar (3) could not contribute much with the bat and the side finally packed up on 318.  

Navendu was the pick of the bowlers for Ludhiana, claiming 4/58 while Sandeep Singh (2/62) and Nikhil Chaudhary (2/72) bagged two wickets each.