Ranji Trophy: Zaheer, Agarkar restrict Punjab

Comeback paceman Zaheer Khan took three wickets and discarded all-rounder Ajit Agarkar four wickets as Mumbai restricted Punjab to 242 for nine on day one of the Super League Ranji Trophy match at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh Tuesday.

Electing to bat, Punjab were propelled by a century from Ravi Inder Singh (104) after their batsmen failed to get their act together.

Zaheer had sustained a shoulder injury in the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in May-April which kept him out of action for four months. He bowled 16 overs and gave away 45 runs.

At Meerut, Karnataka piled up a massive 372 for five after being sent in to bat by Uttar Pradesh. Manish Pandey, who shot to limelight with a century for Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL, made an unbeaten 194.

Test star Rahul Dravid was run out three short of a century. When Karnataka were struggling at 27 for three, Dravid and Pandey put on a 273-run stand to take their side to safety.

For Uttar Pradesh, Bhuveneshwar Kumar took two for 97 while R.P. Singh finished with 1-75.

At Delhi, Railways were 242 for four after they won the toss and decided to bat against Tami Nadu. Sanjay Bangar made an unbeaten 111 and Faiz Faizal scored 70. R. Ashwin took 2-84.

At Ahmedabad, Gujarat were reduced to 237 for seven by Orissa after they decided to bat first. Gujarat were stuggling at 89 for four when skipper Parthiv Patel(83) and Rujul Bhat(46) joined hands to steady the scoring. Ashraf Makda produced some late fireworks, smashing four sixes and a four in his unbeaten 23-ball 31 when stumps were drawn.

For Orissa, Dhiraj Singh took 4-88 and Debasis Mohanty 2-26.

At Poona Club Ground, Maharashtra were bowled out for 179 by Bengal. Winning the toss and batting, Maharashtra batsmen fell like nine pins with Azhar Ansari(52) and Sangram Dilp Atitkar (44) being the exceptions.

Ranadeb Bose was the best bowler for Bengal, taking five wickets for 67 while Ashok Dinda took 3-65. Bengal were 52 for two at stumps.

At Vadodara, Delhi posted a massive 300 for two after it decided to bat against Baroda. Opener Shikhar Dhawan was batting at 122 and Rajat Bhatia was unbeaten at 70.

At Hyderabad, Hyderabad (India) scored 237 for six against Himachal Pradesh. Electing to bat, the hosts were soon reduced to 121 for five before a 77-run stand between wicket-keeper Abhinav Kumar (70 not out) and Syed Quadri (47) pulled Hyderabad out of troubled waters .Vikramjeet Malik took two for 58 for Himachal Pradesh.

Brief scores:

Punjab vs Mumbai: Punjab 242 for nine (Ravi Inder Singh 104; Ajit Agarakar 4-41, Zahir Khan 3-45, Dhawal Kulkarni, 2-68)

Karnataka vs Uttar Pradesh: Karnataka 372/5 (Manish Pandey 194 (batting), Rahul Dravid 97; Bhuveneshwar Kumar 2-97)

Railways vs Tamil Nadu: 242/4 Railways( Sanjay Bangar 111 not out, Faiz Faizal 70; R Ashwin 2-84)

Gujarat vs. Orissa: Gujarat 237/7 (Parthiv Patel 83, Rujul Bhat 46, Ashraf Makda 31 not out; Dhiraj Singh 4-88, Debasis Mohanty 2-26).

Bengal vs. Maharashtra: Maharashtra 179 all out (Sangram Dilp Atitkar 44, Azhar Ansari 52; Ranadeb Bose 5-67, Ashok Dinda 3-65); Bengal 52/2 (Arindam Das 38).

Delhi vs. Baroda: Delhi 300/2 (Shikhar Dhawan 122 not out, Rajat Bhatia 70 not out. Guarav Chabra 65; Salim Veragi 1-34).

Hyderbad (India) vs. Himachal Pradesh: Hyderbad (India) 237/6 ( T.Suman 45, Abhinav Kumar 70 batting, Syed Quadri 47; Vikramjeet Malik 2-58)

Last updated on Nov 3^rd, 2009 at 21:13 pm IST--IANS