Shesdeep, Suryakant stun Punjab

Post News Network

Cuttack, April 3: Orissa kept their hopes of a final appearance alive stunning the much-fancied Punjab side by five wickets in a Group B super league match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy cricket tournament, at the DRIEMS Ground, near here Friday. After restricting Punjab to 143 for the loss of five wickets, the hosts romped home riding on some lusty blows by Surykant Pradhan (22 n o, 8b, 3×6) to reach the victory target with 11 balls to spare, losing five wickets in the process.

Suryakant, promoted up the batting order, put on an unbeaten of 32 runs in only 14 balls with skipper Biplab Samantray (22 n o, 16b, 3×4). Shubek Gill (2/47) came in for some harsh punishment at the hands of Suryakant who hit the bowler for two sixes in the 17^th over of the innings.

Earlier, Anurag Sarangi (45, 43b, 5×4) held the innings together after Orissa lost P Roshan Rao (0) and Govind Poddar (5) within three overs. However, Anurag steadied the ship putting on 76 runs for the third wicket with Abhilash Mallick (41, 28b, 2×4, 3×6). However, Abhilash after getting a start was bowled off the inside edge by Mandeep Singh (1/11). But Biplab and Suryakant finished off the job.

Earlier, Punjab were once more rocked by the left-arm spin of Shesdeep Patra (3/33). Seshdeep was ably supported by Biplab who went for only 18 runs in his four overs. Mannan Vohra (34, 22b, 4×4, 1×6) started well but was run out by a direct throw from Biplab.

Brief scores

(At DRIEMS Ground): Punjab 143 for five (Manan Vohra 34, Sheshdeep Patra 3/33) lost to Orissa 144 for five (Anurag Sarangi 45, Abhilash Mallick 41) by five wickets.

 Other matches

(At DRIEMS Ground): Rajasthan 183 for seven (Suryaprakash Suwalka 50) beat Hyderabad 97 (Aniket Choudhary 3/10) by 86 runs.

 (At KIIT Stadium): Andhra Pradesh 58 (Anurag Singh 3/8) lost to Madhya Pradesh 59 for one by nine wickets.

(At KIIT Stadium): Himachal Pradesh 130 for three (Ankush Bains 41) beat Jharkhand 118 (Bipul Sharma 3/21) by 12 runs.