Amritsar score 270 runs in first innings

Our Sports Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 20

Amritsar failed to capitalise upon fine batting by their skipper Sahil Arora, Akashdeep Singh and Sahil Sharma, as their first innings folded at 270 runs on the first day of the match against Ludhiana in the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament (U-19) for Dhruv Pandove Trophy at the Jathedar Santokh Singh Margind Sports Stadium Sewa Committee, Dulay village, near here, on Sunday.

Ludhiana captain Vibhav won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first. Hosts got early breakthrough, as they succeeded in removing the opening pair of Abhay Chowdhary and Vivek Sharma with the scoreboard reading 32 for two.

Amritsar lost another wicket at the same score, when Parth Pathria returned to the pavilion. Then Akshdeep Singh and Sahil Arora rose to the occasion, steadied the innings, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

The pair added 125 runs for the fourth wicket before Akshdeep lost his wicket after contributing 59 runs. The next man in Sahil Sharma kept his head down, waited for the loose ball to hit.

He along with his senior partner and skipper added 49 runs before the latter got out at the total 206 for five. The Captain made 86 runs with the help of one six and nine boundaries.

Except for Mukesh, no other batsman was able to contribute his bit and Amritsar’s first inning culminated at 270 runs after 90.5 overs. He remained unbeaten on 19 runs.

For Ludhiana, Gurmehar was the most successful bowler, who scalped four victims for 87 runs. Manjot captured three wickets for 26 runs, while Vaibhav grabbed two wickets for 41 runs and Amitoj secured one wicket for 46 runs.

Ludhiana began their reply on a dismal note with the opener, Lavish Dhir getting out without opening his account. At the draw of stumps, hosts were 16 for one after six overs.