Syed Mushtaq Ali: Punjab win in super over, Mumbai beat Jharkhand

Kolkata Jan 21 (IANS) Punjab edged past Karnataka via super over in a Group A Super League tie of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 cricket tournament at the Jadavpur University campus ground here on Sunday.

Put in to bat first Karnataka posted 158/7 in 20 overs with Punjab also recording an identical score losing nine wickets.

In the super over Punjab batted first with out-of-favour India southpaw Yuvraj Singh (5 not out) and Mandeep Singh (10 not out) scoring 15 off Krishnappa Gowtham s six balls.

In reply Karun Nair (8) and Aniruddha (2) could only manage 10 for Karnataka.

The result means the Harbhajan Singh-led Punjab started their campaign on a high note logging four points in their opening Super League game.

Earlier chasing 159 for victory Punjab rode on Mandeep Singh s quickfire 29-ball 45 to lead Punjab s charge with Harbhajan (33) -- batting at No. 3 -- also hitting some lusty blows.

Yuvraj scored 29 before he was caught behind attempting to drive the ball.

Punjab never lost sight of the target with Sharad Lumba (20) also batting well. In the last over 12 runs were needed and Aniruddha grassed Siddarth Kaul at extra cover.

The last ball saw Sandeep Singh (6 not out) take two runs to tie the match. Baltej Singh was not out on zero at the other end.

For Karnataka C.M. Gautam (36) and Aniruddha (40 not out) steadied the ship after they were reduced to 3/35 by the fifth over.

R. Samarth (31) also batted well holding one end up when wickets were falling at the other end.

Skipper R. Vinay Kumar (15 not out) also helped Karnataka reach a respectable 158/7 total.

Yuvraj meanwhile rolled back the years by taking three stunning catches.

For Punjab Baltej Singh (3/21) was the pick of the bowlers while Manpreet Singh Gony (2/8) was excellent as well.

In another game at the same venue Mumbai beat Jharkhand by 13 runs after putting up 170/5 on the board.

Jharkhand won the toss and elected to field but Siddhesh Lad (46) and Aditya Tare (45) played well to help Mumbai post a formidable total.

In reply Virat Singh struck a whirlwind 49-ball 81 but the other batsmen could not support him as they could manage only 157/7 in 20 overs.

--IANS
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