Hosts Punjab to lock horns with MPCA in final

Former India spinner Narendra Hirwani's 17-year-old son, Mihir Hirwani, wove a web around the Kerala batsmen to scalp six wickets in the first innings to restrict them 106 runs in reply to MPCA's first innings total of 250 runs, and help his team record a 144-run and innings defeat in a match to enter the final of the 2nd All India U-19 Invitation Tournament for Dhruv Pandove Trophy, played at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. With this comprehensive win, MPCA's point tally came to six in Pool-B that made them eligible to take on Punjab, who are the leaders of Pool-A.

Resuming at 13 for no loss, Kerala chasing MPCA's total of 250 were bundled out for 106 in 53.5 overs. The leg-spinner, Mihir, rattled the Kerala batsmen with his fine spell to put them on backfoot. The Kerala batsmen never looked to settle on the wicket, with Mihir's incisive bowling at display. Vishnu Babu (32 no) was the only Kerala batsman who showed some resilience with the bat while others struggled in a big way. From 77 for 4 in 37 overs, Kerala crashed to 106 all out in 53.5 overs. Mihir Hirwani returned with the flattering figures of 12-3-19-6, meanwhile, his effort was complemented by Kuldeep Singh (3 for 37). MPCA did not enforce the follow on, and chose to bat in the second innings. At the draw of stumps, MPCA were 84 for 5 in 35 overs Mihir Hirwani was named the man of the match for his superb bowling spell.

Brief Scores:MPCA (Ist Innings): 250 all out in 95.5 overs (Abhishek 60, Ashutosh Singh 49, Vishnu Babu 4 for 74, Mithun 3 for 24) Kerala: 106 all out in 53.5 overs (Vishnu Babu 32 no, Mohd. Azrudeen 21, Mihir Hirwani 6 for 19, Kuldeep Singh 3 for 37) (2nd Innings): 84 for 5 in 35 overs (Shubham Sharma 28, Fabd Ahmd 2 for 22, Ananthu Raj 2 for 33)

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