Punjab skittled out for 142 in Ranji Trophy

Hyderabad, Jan 10 (UNI) After a shaky start, Hyderabad gained crucial first innings lead after they skittled out Punjab for a paltry 142 on the first day of the crucial Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here today.

The hosts were 145 for the loss of four wickets at stumps.

Put into bat Punjab were in dire straits and were all at sea in confronting the Hyderabad right-arm mediumpacer Alfred Absolom, who scalped seven wickets in his deadly single spell. The visitors caved in meekly and were skittled out for a paltry 142 in 31.3 overs, 20 minutes after lunch.

Absolom, was the hero of the day. The final year B.Com student at Bhavan's college in Sainikpuri, incidentally, began his Ranji career in the last season against Punjab at Mohali, Absolom did wonder against the same team this time, capturing seven wickets for 35 runs with his dream spell.

Playing only in his sixth Ranji match, Absolem operating from the pavilion end in the morning literally ran through the Punjab batting line up. He first picked the opener K Goel's wicket after the batsman made 21 off 35 balls with three boundaries.

With the opening partnership breaking at 51 off 10.5 overs, floodgates had opened for the hosts. Dinesh Mongia, while trying to drive, was caught behind for two. Skipper Pankaj Dharmani was also out in a similar fashion off the bowling of Reddy.

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