Manul, Ankit take city boys to the top of table

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 11

Manul Jain scored a century as Chandigarh gained a vital 96-run first innings lead against visitors Yamunanagar to gain three points on the second and concluding day of the Pataudi Trophy match at the Mahajan Cricket Grounds in Mani Majra, here, on Wednesday.    

The result helped Chandigarh jump to the top of Group A with 12 points from three matches, followed by Panchkula in second place at 10 points.  

Resuming the day on 149/3, the hosts rode on 177-run fourth-wicket partnership between Jain and Ankit Kumar to score 297 runs in reply to Yamunanagar’s first innings total of 201. 

The duo was separated when Kumar was trapped in front by Vishal on 92. Kumar, who was unbeaten on 60 yesterday, smashed 15 boundaries during his 131-ball stay in the middle. 

Jain, meanwhile, kept the one end up and stitched a useful 42-run partnership with Ankit Chaudhary before Vishal struck again for the visitors. Chaudhary was out after making a quick-fire 33. 

Shasya Jamwal lost just three balls as the hosts slumped to 6/239. 

With the wickets starting to tumble, Jain raised the tempo and completed his century. He was finally caught by Avdesh Kaushal off Vishal on 113.  

Chandigarh lost the remaining three wickets for 31 runs to fold up on 297.

Vikram Rana (3/42) and Vishal (3/71) shared six wickets between them. 

The visitors, in their second essay, were batting on 227/5 when the umpires called the match. Jitender Singh remained unbeaten on 11, Mandwal was not out on 14. 

Earlier, skipper Amar Karanwal and Mohit Kumar added 100 runs for the second wicket. Karanwal made a brisk 77, while Mohit made a 70-ball 50.  Vishal made hit a 31-ball 39.  For the hosts, Chaudhary claimed 2/59. Guntash Veer, Abhishek Saini and Shasya Jamwal took a wicket apiece. 

3 points for Panchkula

In another match, Panchkula declared their first innings closed on 378/6 in reply to Ambala’s 281/9 on the second and final day’s play to gain three points.  

Resuming on overnight 76/0 at JR Institute of Cricket Technology in Barwala, the hosts Panchkula gained an impressive 97-run lead against Ambala to gain three points.  

Mayank Rajesh Choudhary scored an unbeaten 128, while opener Nehal Pajni scored a 90.  Vivek remained unbeaten on 40 runs. Parth Vashisht was the most effective bowler for Ambala, claiming 3/74.