Punjab complete innings victory over Bihar

Medium pacer Gagandeep Singh and off spinner Harbhajan Singh, who had wreaked havoc in the first innings were again in the forefront in the second innings as they bowled Punjab to an innings and 20 run victory over Bihar shortly after lunch on the final day of their Ranji Trophy Super League Group B match at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Tuesday.

Bihar, at 94 for four overnight after finishing 259 runs behind on the first innings, were facing defeat and the only interest on the final day was whether they would avert an innings defeat. The not out batsmen skipper Sunil Kumar and Manish Kumar added 88 runs for the fifth wicket off 28.5 overs. Sunil Kumar scored 51 off 106 balls with six fours and two sixes. This was followed by a sixth wicket partnership of 47 runs between Manish Kumar and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni (26) before the former was run out for 51. He faced 120 balls and hit seven fours.

Then Harbhajan ran through the tail before a last wicket stand of 36 runs off eight overs between S Khan (30 not out) and Dhiraj Kumar (16) delayed the inevitable. Khan, in a last ditch fight, hit five balls and a six in his 39-ball knock, but Bihar were all out for 239. Gagandeep took three for 65 to finish with match figures of seven for 109 while Harbhajan with four for 68 had match figures of nine for 137. Punjab got eight points and now have 16 points from three games and remain in contention for a place in the knock out stage. Bihar completed their engagements in the Super League with only three points from four games.