Punjab seal a draw, UP take three points

Mohali: Punjab middle-order batted with resolve to eke out a draw even as Uttar Pradesh walked away with three points on the virtue of their first innings lead in their Ranji Trophy Super League match on Sunday.

Needed to bat the whole day to save the match, Punjab trio of Karan Goel (55), Mandeep Singh (51) and Mayank Sidhana (76) showed a lot of determination while batting as they steered the side to a draw. Starting the day at 22 for two and trailing by 220 runs, Punjab ended the day at 280 for seven. UP had scored 596 for five in response to Punjab`s 350 all out in the first innings. Punjab lost opener Sarul Kanwar (23) after the batsman had added just one run to his overnight total, raising UP`s hopes of an outright win. However, left-handed Goel and Mandeep dug in to pull the side out of rut with a 84-run stand for the fourth wicket. Sudeep Tyagi broke the partnership by having Mandeep caught by Parvinder Singh but Karun found another able ally in Mayank, who remained unbeaten till the end of the match. Goel was scalped by Piyush Chawla but not before the duo had added 40 runs for the fifth wicket and then Punjab lost Bipul Sharma (19) and Gitansh Khera (10). But Punjab skipper Harbhajan Singh, who has improved as a batsman, did not let the side down as he also remained not out on 24 with Mayank. Brief Score: Punjab 350 & 280/7 in 88 overs (Karan Goel 55, Mayank Sidhana 76 not out; P Chawla 3/84, S Tyagi 2/30). Uttar Pradesh 1st innings: 596/5 declared. PTI