Madhya Pradesh enter semifinal on first innings lead

Based on the 96-run first innings lead over Punjab, Madhya Pradesh qualified for the semifinals of the Cooch Behar Trophy Tournament on Thursday. On the final day at the Pune Club, the MP skipper SM Dholepure who lead the team from the front with a fine 113, declared the first innings at the overnight score of 341 for 9.

Punjab scored 267 for nine declared in the second innings. The score was helped on its way by a 130- run third wicket stand between SP Singh (87) and Binwant Singh (63). Thereafter wickets fell in quick succession as OP Yadav (5 for 70) ran though the middle order.

Needing 172 runs for victory, MP in their second innings were 107 for 2 when stumps were drawn. After Sachin Dholpure (0) and Mohanish Mishra (15) fell early, N Ojha (44) and Jatin Saxena (48) ensured no further hiccups for MP with an unbroken third wicket stand of 63.