Centuries by Prabhsimran and Naman take Punjab lead against Saurashtra

Centuries from openers Prabhsimran Singh and Naman Dheer and a 212-run opening partnership between the two helped Punjab consolidate their position at 327 for five at stumps on the second day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final clash against Saurashtra here on Wednesday. Did it Naman scored 131 runs in 180 balls with the help of nine fours and seven sixes, while Prabhasimran hit 13 fours and three sixes in his innings of 126 runs in 158 balls. Saurashtra scored 303 runs in their first innings, giving Punjab a 24-run lead with five wickets in hand.

At the end of the day’s play, captain Mandeep Singh was playing on 39 and wicketkeeper Anmol Malhotra was playing on 16 runs. After starting the day on three runs without loss, Prabhasimran and Naman got Punjab off to a flying start and kept the opposition bowlers away from success before lunch. After lunch, however, the bowlers made a comeback for Saurashtra. Partha Bhat, who scored a century for Saurashtra, gave the team the first success by dismissing Prabhasimran.

After this, Pukhraj Mann (one), who came to bat, also returned to the pavilion quickly.Naman then got good support from skipper Mandeep but after his dismissal, Punjab quickly lost the wickets of Anmolpreet Singh (nine runs) and Neha Lovedera (four runs). For Saurashtra, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja and Yuvrajsinh Dodiya took two wickets each. Parth got a breakthrough.