Manish Sharma puts Haryana attack in the shade

Punjab's Ranji Trophy team, on the crest of a wave after crushing innings victories in their first two games, soared to 281/3 in their latest North Zone league tie against Haryana at Amritsar. Opener Manish Sharma's 131 was the backbone of the Punjab effort while A Kakkar and Pankaj Dharmani weighed in with half centuries.

After winning the toss and batting, Punjab was assisted by the late arrival of Haryana wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra who had to rush from Indore after turning out on the previous day for National Cricket Academy against Zimbabwe. For the first session and a half, Haryana had only ten men on the field. Punjab would have been in a similar predicament had they fielded first since they had on their rolls, Reetinder Sodhi who also played in the afore-mentioned game against Zimbabwe.

Manish Sharma who batted at No.6 and No.3 in Punjab's first two games with conspicuous lack of success greeted his return to the opening spot with relish. After losing opening partner skipper Vikram Rathour at 36, Manish and Kakkar added 126 for the second wicket. Haryana's Ratra took over the wicketkeeping gloves from substitute Jasvir Singh after the post-lunch drinks interval, and in the second over after the break, pouched Kakkar for 52.

Manish and Dharmani added a further 89 for the third wicket before the former's five and a half hour occupation of the crease was terminated by another Ratra catch. His 131, scored off 256 balls, was studded with 14 fours and 4 sixes. Dharmani who completed the quickest fifty of the day (from 87 balls) and last game's triple centurion Dinesh Mongia took Punjab safely through to stumps. The hosts are without the services of Ravneet Ricky who will be doing duty for the Board President's XI against Zimbabwe from November 13-15.