Mohali lads outplay Jalandhar to win Dhruv Pandove Trophy

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 5

Hosts Mohali won the Punjab Inter-District Cricket Championship for the Dhruv Pandove Trophy on the basis of the first innings lead against Jalandhar at IS Bindra PCA Stadium today.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Jalandhar were bowled out for 175 runs in 53.2 overs. Arun Kaila (39), Azam Nazar (29) and Rajan Kashyap (20) were the three main scorers for Jalandhar. Sahil Khan (4/65) was the pick of the bowlers for Mohali, while Harshdeep Singh (3/23), Harry Dhaliwal (2/39) and Jahanjeet (1/32) were the other main wicket-takers.

In reply, the Mohali lads posted 292/6 in 95 overs to take a 117-run lead. The hosts had a disastrous start as they lost their first three wickets with only nine runs on the board. Manav Malhotra (2), Anshul Choudhary (2) and Rajinder Singh (5) were back in the pavilion in 12 overs. 

Thereafter, Satyam Sharma and Gurmehar Singh raised a 73-run partnership to provide some stability to the innings. 

Their partnership was broken by Raghav when he accounted for Gurmehar for 38 off 126 balls. Anshul Negi then joined Sharma and the duo raised a 30-run partnership to push the total to 112. Lovepreet claimed Sharma (46 off 132 balls, including seven boundaries) to reduce the hosts to 112/5.

After this crucial wicket, Akashdeep Singh joined Negi and the two battled hard to take away the match from Jalandhar. The duo raised a 180-run partnership for the sixth wicket to push the total to 292. 

On the last ball of the innings, Akashdeep was claimed by Arun Kaila for 92 off 134 balls, with nine boundaries and a six. Negi remained unbeaten on 101 off 153 balls, with 12 boundaries. Raghav claimed two for 68 to emerge as the best performer for the bowling side. 

In their second innings, Jalandhar were 77/1 when the stumps were drawn.