Punjab secured a nail-biting seven-run victory over Hyderabad in a Group A clash of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground C on Sunday. The thrilling encounter kept fans on edge until the final ball, with Punjab’s Arshdeep Singh holding his nerve to defend 20 runs in the last over against a rampaging Chama Milind.
Chasing a stiff target of 197, Hyderabad found themselves in a precarious position at 142/9 by the 18th over, with the game seemingly out of their reach. However, Milind, who smashed five sixes and two boundaries in his 42 off just 16 balls, reignited hopes. His late fireworks included a 19-run penultimate over off off-spinner Jass Inder, setting the stage for a tense finale.
Arshdeep’s clever mix of wide yorkers and variations restricted Milind’s impact. Despite a six on the third ball of the last over, Milind faltered on the final delivery, miscuing a shot that sealed Hyderabad’s fate.
Punjab’s Dominance Set Early
Punjab’s performance was anchored by Naman Dhir, who claimed a maiden five-wicket haul. His dismissal of Rohit Rayudu (56 off 37) in the 13th over dismantled Hyderabad’s middle-order resistance. Earlier, Mayank Markande’s dismissal of Mickil Jaiswal (39 off 23) compounded Hyderabad’s troubles, setting the stage for a collapse.
Opting to bat first, Punjab started cautiously, managing 88 runs in the first 10 overs while losing openers Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh during the PowerPlay. Anmolpreet Singh (54 off 35) and Nehal Wadhera (31 off 23) then stitched a crucial 87-run partnership, providing a solid foundation.
Hyderabad fought back in the 13th over when both set batters were dismissed in quick succession. Sanvir Singh and Naman Dhir steadied the ship with a 34-run stand before Ravi Teja dismissed them in the 18th over, leaving Punjab at 168/6.
Ramandeep Singh’s Late Flourish
The game turned decisively in Punjab’s favour during the final over of their innings. Ramandeep Singh capitalized on Hyderabad’s forced field restrictions due to a slow over-rate, smashing 28 runs off Ravi Teja’s over. His two boundaries and two sixes propelled Punjab to a competitive 196/6.
Despite Milind’s late heroics, Punjab’s all-round effort ensured their third win of the tournament, keeping their knockout hopes alive. Hyderabad, despite falling short, showcased resilience and entertained the crowd with a spirited chase.
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