Ganguly fined for slow over-rate, Bengal beat Punjab by 14 runs

Mohali, Nov 25 (UNI) Bengal captain Sourav Ganguly was fined for slow over rate even though his side defeated hosts Punjab by 14 runs in the low-scoring Elite Group B match of the Ranji Trophy at the PCA Stadium here today.

Chasing a victory target of 148 runs on a pace-friendly track, Punjab's second innings terminated at 133 in 59.3 overs and 281 minutes on the third day.

Bengal team was fined 10 per cent of the match fee and captain Ganguly 20 per cent for bowling two overs short in Punjab's second innings.

Inept batting by the top Punjab batsmen led to their doom in both innings. Their top five batsmen were back in the pavilion for just 64 runs on the board in the second innings.

Gourav Gupta made a painstaking 41 with the help of four fours before he offered a sizzling return catch to wrecker-in-chief Ashok Dinda (5 for 57). Gupta was the last batsman to be dismissed in Punjab's second innings which folded at 133. Gupta occupied the crease for 202 minutes and faced 126 balls.

Ganguly and Ranadeb Bose got two wickets each for 31 and 35 runs, respectively. Ganguly contributed 6 and 43 with the bat and claimed five wickets in the match with his gentle medium swing.

Earlier, Bengal, overnight 112 for four, were dismissed for 148 in their second venture on the third morning. Abhishek Jhunjunwala (46), Sourav Ganguly (43) and Deep Dasgupta (21) were their main scorers.

Young Punjab medium pacer V R V Singh bowled with fire. His impressive spell fetched him four wickets for 53 runs from 14 overs, one of which was maiden. Love Abhlish (3 for 34) and Gagandeep (2 for 40) also helped Punjab restrict Bengal to 148 in 50 overs.

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