Gony five-for helps Punjab crush Orissa

Mohali: Pacer Manpreet Gony led a superb bowling display with a five-wicket haul as Punjab recorded a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over a hapless Orissa on day three of their Group A Ranji Trophy Elite division match on Saturday.

Gony conceded just 13 runs for five wickets from his 8.5 overs and he got ample support from his pace colleagues Brainder Sran (4/27) and Sandeep Sharma (1/27) as Orissa were shot out for just 73 in their second innings in 34.5 overs at the PCA Stadium here. Punjab captain and India discard Harbhajan Singh was wicketless while conceding six runs from his three overs. Only three Orissa batsmen -- Paresh Patel (13), Subhrajit Sahoo (21) and Lagnajit Samal (14) -- could reach double figures while four batsmen were out for duck. Punjab, who had a first innings lead of four runs after declaring at 255 for nine on Friday, needed just 70 runs to win the match which they did easily did by losing two wickets. The home side took just one and half hours to chase down the target with Inder Singh and Mandeep Singh remaining not out on 34 and 26 respectively. Punjab earned five points for the outright win while Orissa got zero. Brief scores: Brief scores: Orissa: 251 all out and 73 all out 34.5 overs (Subhrajit Sahoo 21; Manpreet Gony 5/13, Brainder Sran 4/27). Punjab: 255 for 9 decl and 70 for 2 in 18.5 overs (Inder Singh 34 not out, Mandeep Singh 26 not out). PTI