CHENNAI: Pacer
Pankaj Singh’s (7 for 39) exploits on the opening day helped
Cricket Association of Puducherry
(CAP) take full control of their
Ranji Trophy Plate division clash against Mizoram at
CAP Siechem Ground
in
Puducherry on Wednesday.
The lanky seamer’s seven-wicket haul meant that the visitors were bundled out for a paltry total of 92 after opting to bat first. In reply, Puducherry comfortably overhauled Mizoram’s first-innings score and ended the day on 163 for 3, with a lead of 71 runs. Opener M Viknesh led Puducherry’s effort with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 79 from 92 balls with seven fours and one six.
But the day belonged entirely to Pankaj, who made the switch from Rajasthan as one of Puducherry’s three outstation players along with Abhishek Nayar and Paras Dogra. The 33-year-old, who played two Tests and one ODI for India, had taken 6 for 39 in the opening Ranji game against Meghalaya this season and once again showed his worth to the side.
Apart from being able to strike at regular intervals, he was extremely frugal, conceding just 21 runs in 16.4 overs with as many as 10 maidens. It was off-spinner Fabid Ahmed who struck the first blow, dismissing opener Hruaizela for four in the 11th over. Ahmed then went on to remove Akhil Rajput in the 18th over to reduce Mizoram to 25 for 2.
While Pankaj’s first wicket took some time coming, he ran through the Mizoram middle-order once he found his bearings. In the 21st over, he dismissed Taruwar Kohli (4) and Ruata (0) in the space of three balls. For Mizoram, Mikal was the only batsman to offer some resistance, scoring 25 from 106 balls at No. 4, but Pankaj eventually got the better of him too. While Nayar chipped in with the wicket of Sinan (17), the other batsmen succumbed to the accuracy of Pankaj.
Puducherry began their response in rollicking fashion, with openers X Thalaivan Sargunam and Viknesh stitching together a stand of 70 in 9.5 overs. Sargunam was unable to build on his start and departed for 35 off 34 balls, but Viknesh ensured their hard work wasn’t wasted and helped Puducherry end the day in total command.
Brief scores (Stumps, Day 1): Mizoram 92 in 54.4 overs (Pankaj Singh 7/21). Puducherry 163/3 in 33 overs (M Viknesh 79 batting).
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