Punjab reply with 216-3 against Hyderabad

Chandigarh, Nov 16 (UNI) Hosts Punjab have scored 216 for 3 in reply to Hyderabad's first innings total of 379 all out on the second day of the four-day Elite Group B match in the Ranji Trophy match at the PCA Stadium here today.

Punjab openers Ravneet Ricky 37 (6x4s) and Karan Goel (75, 10x4s and 2x6s) gave their team a solid start by putting on 88 runs for the opening wicket stand. The partnership was broken by left arm slow bowler Pragyan Ojha who accepted a return catch. Ravi Inder joined Karan. Ravi Inder returned to the pavilion when Ojha had him caught by substitute Vishal (20) after this pair added 54 runs for the second wicket. The wicket fell at 142. Punjab captain and prolific scorer Pankaj Dharmani joined Karan. With the addition of just eight runs to the third wicket stand, Karan was caught by Anoop Pai of the bowling of A Khander (1 for 29).

Uday Kaur (22 not out, 3x4s) and Pankaj Dharmani (52 not out, 10x4s) have so far scored 66 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket stand.

Pankaj Dharmani today completed 8,000 runs in first class cricket.

Punjab were trailing by 163 runs with seven wickets in hand at close of play on the second day.

UNI