Vijay Hazare Trophy: Red-hot Abhishek helps Punjab outclass Services

CHANDIGARH: Punjab all-rounder Abhishek Sharma reminded national selectors of his prowess with a flamboyant undefeated century to help his side thrash the Services by 9 wickets in their fourth encounter of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Ranchi on Sunday.
Abhishek took one wicket during Services' innings that produced 260/5 in 50 overs, and followed it up with a breath-taking 117-ball 169 to take his side over the line with 73 balls to spare.
Batting first, Services rode on half centuries from skipper Rajat Paliwal, Mohit Ahlawat and Pulkit Narang to get to a healthy total. Paliwal slammed an unbeaten 85 off 104 balls with the help of six boundaries after Mohit had set the tone with a 73-ball 71, laced with seven hits to the fence and once over it.
Pulkit came with the fireworks down the order and accelerated the scoring rate with his unbeaten 50 runs off mere 27 balls. He hit four boundaries and three sixes to complete his half century.
For Punjab, left-arm spinner Hardeep Brar claimed 2 wickets giving away 41 runs, whereas Abhishek, Sanvir Singh and Arshdeep Singh picked one wicket apiece.
In reply, it was one-way traffic for Punjab, with Abhishek leading the chase in the company of the dependable wicketkeeper-bat Prabhsimran Singh. The left-right combo tormented the Service bowlers with ease by putting up a 192-run opening stand before Prabhsimran was dismissed for 72 runs which he made with help of four boundaries and three sixes in 98 balls.
Abhishek, however, ensured that he finished off the game and in the process remained unbeaten as Punjab cruised to the total in mere 37.5 overs. The southpaw slammed 17 boundaries and 9 sixes during his knock. Ramandeep Singh also remained undefeated on 15 off 12, containing a four and a six.
Punjab and Services now occupy the second and third places, respectively in Group E on the basis of net run-rate. Punjab will next take on Goa at the MECON Stadium in Ranchi on Monday.
Brief Scores
Services 260/5 in 50 overs (Rajat Paliwal 85, Mohit Ahlawat 71, Pulkit Narang 50; Harpreet Brar 2/41) lost to Punjab 261/1 in 37.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 169 not out, Prabhsimran Singh 72) by 9 wickets