Hyderabad beat Punjab by one wicket in Ranji match

Hyderabad, Jan 12 (UNI) Hyderabad overcame anxious moments before securing a one-wicket victory against Punjab in the last Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match here today.

The hero of the win was wicket-keeper batsman Ibrahim Khaleel who came in at the fall of the sixth wicket at 93 and took the team to its target. He kept his nerve as wickets were falling at the other end.

With Mumbai being better placed against Maharashtra, it would be impossible for Hyderabad to qualify for the semifinals, even after securing four points from this game.

Hyderabad coach Vivek Jaisimha later agreed that one bad innings against Bengal cost his team's place in the semifinals. Hyderabad started their chase on a disastrous note losing three wickets including skipper V V S Laxman for just 12 runs.

Right arm medium pacer Gagandeep Singh struck twice to remove Hyderabad openers Suman and Shashank Nag. Ablish next had Laxman caught by Harbhajan Singh.

Anirudh Singh with the help of Arjun Yadav (25 off 29 balls, 4x4) then added 60 runs for the fourth wicket in 10.1 overs. But, Hyderabad slumped to 105 for eight in the space of 32 runs off 8.3 overs, with Arjun Yadav, Absolem, Anirudh Singh, Vinay Kumar and P K Reddy sent back.

Anirudh Singh, after reaching 40 off 70 balls with 6 fours, was caught by Mongia off V R V Singh.

Earlier, Punjab resuming at the overnight score of 145 for 5 were all out for 245 shortly after lunch. Pankaj Dharmani was the first to go after adding just eight runs to his overnight score of 70. His 78 came off 156 balls and included ten fours. M P Arjun had him plumb in front. It was wicket-keeper batsman Uday Kaul largely responsible for adding 100 runs to Punjab second innings on penultimate today.

Kaul in his stay of 232 minutes, facing 146 balls, hit seven fours to score 61 before he was bowled by left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.

With the help of Harbhajan Singh (29 off 37 balls, 2x4, 2x6) added 52 valuable runs for the sixth wicket in 14.1 overs.

While left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha took two wickets, Hyderabad medium pacers Absolem, M P Arjun and P K Reddy shared eight wickets between them.

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