If Mumbai thought dismissing Punjab for 259 was a job well done, they were in for a surprise at the Sector 16 stadium here. The defending champions ended the second day at a precarious 244 for seven having struggled against a pace attack led by an ex-ICL player, Love Ablish Singh, and an IPL star Manpreet Gony. The duo did what the Mumbai pacemen had done a day earlier and if Wasim Jaffar & Co haven’t yet conceded the first-innings lead, the credit must go to Sahil Kukreja, who made 90, and Abhishek Nayar (53).

Punjab pacers Ablish and Gony were spot on right from the start, putting the pressure on the visitors. The standout bowling performance came from Ablish, who returns to mainstream cricket after two years after having severed his contract with the ICL.

Mumbai’s innings was built around a 115-run stand between Kukreja and Abhishek Nayar. But just when Mumbai seemed to be getting out the danger zone, Ablish removed Kukreja for 90. Gony then got Nayar to set up an interesting morning session.

Brief scores: Punjab (first innings): 259 in 90.2 overs (Ravi Inder Singh 104, Manpreet Gony 41, Ajit Agarkar 4 for 43, Zaheer Khan 4 for 60), Mumbai (first innings) 244 for 7 in 80 overs (Sahil Kukreja 90, Abhishek Nayar 53; Love Ablish 4 for 53, Manpreet Gony 2 for 70)