da bet esporte： Mohali: Punjab were well placed to score a victory over HimachalPradesh at stumps on the third day of their North Zone Ranji Trophymatch here on Tuesday
Rajesh Arora27-Oct-1999Mohali: Punjab were well placed to score a victory over HimachalPradesh at stumps on the third day of their North Zone Ranji Trophymatch here on Tuesday.Punjab declared their second innings at lunch at 176 for six, settingHP a target of 402 for victory in 143 overs. At close of play, HP werereeling at 127 for five.Punjab resumed their second innings at the score of 38 for 2. DineshMongia slammed a well compiled century and added 133 runs for thethird wicket with his overnight partner Amit Sharma (33).Mongia smashed three consective boundaries to square leg off ShaktiSingh who got six wickets in the first innings. Jaswant Rai whoreplaced Shakti Singh was also punished by Mongia as he hit 22 runsfrom his first two overs which included two big sixes and one hit tothe fence. Mongia completed his fifth century in the Ranji Trophywhile playing in his 43rd innings of his 28th match off just 109 ballswith 10 hits to fence and two mighty sixes. Amit Sharma (33) also madea valuable contribution.In the HP second innings, skipper Rajiv Nayyar (38) was at the creaseafter playing patiently for 219 minutes and facing 149 balls. NischalGaur (37) added 46 runs for second wicket with Nayyar. He was unluckyto be given leg before to Sodhi when he appeared to have played theball.Sangram Singh (21) also stayed for 71 minutes at the wicket and added47 runs for third wicket. He was taken at gully by Mongia off NavdeepSingh to be the third batsman out at 95. Yashwinder Singh (0) alsodeparted at the same total due to a brillant catch in the slips byAmit Sharma off Navdeep Singh in the same over.For Punjab, Navdeep Singh got two wickets for 22 runs while SandeepSharma, Sodhi and Sarandeep shared a wicket each.HP still face the uphill task of getting 275 runs in the remaining 90overs on Wednesday with only five wickets in hand.