&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "UPDATES ONLY | Vijay Hazare Trophy 2nd SF:Punjab vs Saurashtra")
LIVE SCORE | Saurashtra vs Punjab, Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2nd semi-final: Hello and welcome to the coverage of second Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final between Saurashtra and Punjab on Friday (Jan 16) at Centre of Excellence (CoE) ground in Bengaluru to decide the opposition of Vidarbha.
Both the teams are coming into the semi on the back of five consecutive wins in their last five matches. During the group stage, Punjab won six of their seven matches, losing only against Uttarakhand. As for Saurashtra, they won five of seven matches, losing against Delhi and Haryana in the group stage.
For Saurashtra, Harvik Desai is the top scorer with 497 runs in 8 matches at an average of 71 with three tons and two fifties. For Punjab, Anmolpreet Singh leads the batting chart with 427 runs in 8 matches at an average of 71 with one hundred and four fifties.
Among the bowlers, Ankur Panwar has the most wickets for Saurashtra - 19 in 8 matches with one five-wicket haul and the best of 5/27. For Punjab, Sukhdeep Bajwa is the highest wicket-taker - 12 in 8 matches with a best of 4/17.
Follow UPDATES of Saurashtra vs Punjab, Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2nd semi-final below:
100-run stand is up for the 2nd wicket with Prabhsimran playing a captain's innings and nearing an important 100. Saurashtra now need wickets quickly to get back in the game.
Over 26 (Mankad): 2 Runs
Over 27 (Unadkat): 6 Runs
Over 28 (Mankad): 7 Runs
Over 29 (Unadkat): 5 Runs
Over 30 (Mankad): 5 Runs
35 Runs in last 5 overs! Punjab now cruising along with Prabhsimran having crossed his fifty and the partnership for 2nd wicket going past 75 runs.
Over 21 (Jadeja): 5 Runs
Over 22 (Mankad): 6 Runs
Over 23 (Jadeja): 9 Runs
Over 24 (Mankad): 2 Runs
Over 25 (Jadeja): 13 Runs
A see-saw period of play in five overs where both teams are not giving each other any inch. Punjab still a bit ahead though with another 50-run stand approaching for them as they cross team 100. Prabhsimran also clsoing in on his 50.
Over 16 (Panwar): 4 Runs
Over 17 (Jani): 8 Runs
Over 18 (Mankad): 5 Runs
Over 19 (Jani): 8 Runs
Over 20 (Mankad): 3 Runs
A needless run-out ends Harnoor's prominisng innings. Saurashtra has pulled back things a bit in the 5-over passge after going for 45 runs from Over 6-10. Prabsimran still on crease and will hope to make his start count. Anmolpreet Singh is the new batter in.
Over 11 (Sakariya): 3 Runs
Over 12 (Panwar): 2 Runs
Over 13 (Jani): 3 Runs & 1 Wicket (Harnoor 33 runs)
Over 14 (Panwar): 12 Runs
Over 15 (Jani): 3 Runs
45 RUNS IN LAST 5 OVERS! Punjab openers are now opening their arms and playing their shots. Harnoor Singh, in particular has been very destructive, hitting five fours and a six while Prabhsimran has managed three fours and one six so far. The duo has crossed 50-run mark for the first wicket as well and Punjab officially have gotten a great start to their innings.
Over 6 (Sakariya): 9 Runs
Over 7 (Unadkat): 10 Run
Over 8 (Panwar): 7 Runs
Over 9 (Sakariya): 12 Runs
Over 10 (Panwar): 7 Runs
Tight bowling by Saurashtra opening bowlers Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya have kept Punjab openers Prabhsimran and Harnoor tied down in the first five overs. Run have come at a rate of just sub-2, but the batting becomes easier later on as seen yesterday in Vidabha vs Karnataka semis.
Over 1 (Unadkat): 1 Run
Over 2 (Sakariya): 1 Run
Over 3 (Unadkat): 4 Runs
Over 4 (Sakariya): 3 Runs
Over 5 (Unadkat): 1 Run
Here's the playing XI for both teams
Saurashtra (Playing XI): Harvik Desai(w/c), Vishvaraj Jadeja, Prerak Mankad, Sammar Gajjar, Chirag Jani, Ruchit Ahir, Parswaraj Rana, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Ankur Panwar, Jaydev Unadkat, Chetan Sakariya
Punjab (Playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh(w/c), Harnoor Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Ramandeep Singh, Sanvir Singh, Krish Bhagat, Sukhdeep Bajwa, Mayank Markande, Gurnoor Brar