Yuvraj scores duck as Assam upset Punjab

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 26: Assam made a solid start in the Vijay Hazare Cricket Tourment defeating Punjab by three wickets in New Delhi today. Highlight of the game was two fine spells from Pritam Das (3-59) and Arup Das (3-26) followed by two good knocks from captain K Arun Karthick (63) and Amit Verma (65).

Punjab won the toss this morning and elected to bat first. Arup quickly removed two openers Man Vohra (1) and Mandeep Singh (4).Punjab looked in deep trouble when Arup bowled Yuvraj Singh (0) on team’s total 19. But Shubman Gill (121) and Gurkeerat Mann (58) stitched the early damage adding 141 runs on the fourth wicket. But once Pritam broke the partnership removing Gurkeerat Punjab lost wickets on regular interval and entire team were bowled out 243. Pritam also bagged the wickets of Shubman Gill and Manpreet Singh Grewal. However Shubman manged to reach three figure score before he got out. The batsman took 129 balls to score 121 runs with the help of 11 boundaries and one six.

Assam made flying start in their chase and took just 40 balls to score 46 runs when they lost first wicket in the form of Sibsankar Roy (12). Other opener Pallav Das (48, 10 boundaries) continued the good work and kept the opponent bowlers under pressure. Arun Karthick and Amit Verma, who came into bat at, number fourth and fifth position respectively, made Assam’s job easy with two good knocks. Karthick hit eight boundaries on way to score 63 runs while Verma’s 65 runs innings comprised of two boundaries and two sixes.

Skipper of Punjab Harbhajan Singh, who took two for 42 in 10 overs, was the only bowler who tried keeping things under control but Arun Karthik and Verma added 92 runs for the fourth wicket, which turned out to be crucial.

With this win Assam collected four points from this game.