Hyderabad in commanding position against Punjab

Hyderabad, Jan 11 (UNI) Hosts Hyderabad were in a strong position with Punjab struggling at 145 for 5 in their second innings at the close of play on day two in the crucial Ranji Trophy elite group-B match here today.

Resuming at overnight score of 146 for 4, Hyderabad added another 105 runs and were all out for 251 in 82 overs, shortly after lunch.

Skipper V V S Laxman added 186 runs with different partners and took 32 runs to take his individual score to 76. He was unlucky for not completing his century. He made 76 in 283 minutes, facing 171 balls that included nine fours. He fell to medium pacer Luv Ablish.

Hyderabad tail enders barring Vinay Kumar (39 not out, 2x4) failed to register good scores.

Test bowler V R V Singh was the pick of Punjab bowlers, taking 4 for 79 runs.

Punjab started their second innings on a disastrous note losing four quick wickets for just 41 runs. Skipper Pankaj Dharmani tried to repair the damage with the help of R S Sodhi (11) but the hero of the first innings Absolem struck for a third time to remove the latter.

Dharmani remained unbeaten on 70 off 122 balls which included 10 boundaries, while wicket-keeper batsman Uday Kaul gave him the company with 28 runs (3x4).

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