Divyansh, Qureshi put Patiala in front on Day 2

Tribune News Service 

Mohali, May 8

Divyansh Garg scored a patient half-century and added a crucial 75-run partnership with Arshad Qureshi to help Patiala claim a vital 73-run lead against Amritsar on the second day of the U-16 ML Markan Trophy final at IS Bindra PCA Stadium here on Tuesday. 

Chasing Amritsar’s first innings total of 162, Pataila were struggling at 63/5 before Divyansh and Qureshi came together to guide them to a respectable total.  

Resuming at overnight 27/3, Divyansh and Kabir Garg added 42 runs for the fourth wicket before Fatehdeep struck for Amritsar. Jatin Yadav could only add two runs to the total. He was caught by Dhruv Verma off Akashdeep.

Divyansh then found an able ally in Qureshi and the duo batted sensibly for 37 overs to raise a 75-run stand for the sixth wicket.  The duo was separated when Manroop castled the opener on 77.  Divyansh’s 238-ball stay in the middle was studded with seven boundaries. 

Qureshi and Ekampreet Singh stitched a 42-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Akashdeep removed the latter. Ekampreet contributed 27 runs to the total. 

Qureshi chipped in another 28 runs in company of Harjas to take the total close to the 200-run mark. He was finally dismissed by Fatehdeep on 49. 

Harjas (38) and Emanjot Singh (7) batted with purpose and took the total to 235 runs.

Manroop Singh was the principal wicket taker for Amritsar, claiming 4/35. Fatehdeep picked 3/97, while Akshdeep took 2/56.

Amritsar, meanwhile, played just one over in their second innings before umpires called the day’s play.