Punjab dominate Himachal attack

Mohali: Punjab dominated day one by scoring 317 for eight in the North Zone Ranji Trophy four day league match against Himachal Pradesh at the PCA stadium on Sunday.

Vikram Rathore elected to bat first and opened the innings with Navjot Singh Sidhu. But Sidhu (1) fell early, playing a poor hook shot off the bowling of Shakti Singh to be caught at square leg by Sangram Singh. Rathore on 37 achieved a milestone, becoming the first player from Punjab and the 26th batsmen to score 5000 runs in the national cricket championship. This was his 101st innings in his 65th match. He reached this landmark in style when he hit a straight six off Jaswant Rai. On 44 however Rathore was caught and bowled by Jaswant Rai as he tried to clear mid on.

Reetinder Sodhi (79) and Pankaj Dharmani (70) showed their patience and skill during a 94-run partnership for the third wicket off 161 balls. Sodhi's innings was studded with 10 hits to fence and a six over mid wicket off Nischal Gaur. Dharmani showed his grace while playing the leg glance and square cut as he hit ten boundries. Sodhi was caught at second slip by Rajiv Nayyar while trying to square drive an away going delivery of Parveen Sharma.

Dinesh Mongia (2) became another victim of Parveen Sharma as he was bowled by a quick delivery which kept very low. The middle order batsmen of Punjab did not contribute much and fell to Shakti Singh's accurate bowling. Tailenders Sarandeep Singh (54) and Navdeep Singh (16) added 59 runs for the unbroken ninth wicket partnership at close of play.

Shakti Singh was the most successful bowler as he claimed four wickets for 93 runs. Parveen Sharma captured two wickets by giving away 82 runs. Jaswant Rai and Nischal Gaur took a wicket each.