Chandigarh poised to claim Markan Trophy

CHANDIGARH, MAY 20 

Chandigarh have virtually assured to win the Punjab Inter-District Cricket Tournament for ML Markan Trophy as they were 259 for 5 at close of third day's play and were having an overall lead of 403 runs with five wickets in hand against Mohali in the final. 

Tomorrow is the last day of the match.

Chandigarh started their second essay with Yuvraj Rai and Harnoor Singh Pannu but were jolted when Harnoor Pannu was trapped by Anshul Negi for 2, Anshul Negi struck again when he had Yuvraj Rai leg before wicket for 18.  

Rai alongwith Jashanjot had added 47 runs for the second wicket.  Thereaftrer Jashanjot Singh and Akshit Rana cobbled up 79 runs partnership for the third wicket before Jashanjot Singh was trapped in front by Harshdeep Singh for a steady 75 off 208 balls studded with 10 boundaries. 

Akshit Rana then found an able partner in skipper Yuvraj Chaudhary and the duo added 61 runs for the fourth wicket before Anshul Negi had Yuvraj Chaudhary  caught by Akashdeep Singh for 28 off 24 balls inclusive of 2 boundaries and one six. Suraj Patle got out cheaply for four when he was trapped in front by Harshdeep Singh. 

Thereafter Akshit Rana and Raj Angad Bawa stitched a unbroken 43 runs partnership for the 6th wicket and in the process Akshit Rana went on to complete an unbeaten century (100) off 163 balls inclusive of 13 well struck boundaries and one huge six. Raj Angad Bawa remained unbeaten on 27 off 50 balls inclusive of 5 boundaries. 

Earlier, resuming at overnight 105 for 6 in 88 overs Mohali folded up for 111 in 94.4 overs against Chandigarh in the final of the Punjab Inter-District Cricket Tournament for ML Markan Trophy here today.  

Suraj Patle and Jaskirat Singh Mehra accounted for two dismissals each.  Mehra trapped Anshul Negi and Ayush Goel for 4 and 0 while Suraj Patle trapped Harshdeep and Pranab before they could open their account. Mohali lost their last three wickets at the score of 111. 

Chandigarh got a crucial 145 runs lead on the first innings. Jaskirat Singh Mehra  (2 for 5) Yuvraj Chaudhary  (3 for 18), Suraj Patle  (4 for 34) and Arshnoor Singh Pannu (1 for 27) shared the spoils for Chandigarh. 

===balbirsingh227@gmail.com