da aviator aposta： Hyderabad comfortably held Punjab to a draw on the final day of theirGroup B Ranji Trophy Super league match at the PCA stadium in Mohalion Tuesday, thanks in no small measure to `birthday boy’ MdAzharuddin
08-Feb-2000Hyderabad comfortably held Punjab to a draw on the final day of theirGroup B Ranji Trophy Super league match at the PCA stadium in Mohalion Tuesday, thanks in no small measure to `birthday boy’ MdAzharuddin. The former Indian captain, who turned 37 today, hit anunbeaten 63 as Hyderabad, 246 runs in arrears on the first innings,finished with 244 for three off 93 overs in their secondinnings. Punjab got five points and Hyderabad three.There was some pressure on Hyderabad as they resumed on the finalmorning at 15 for no loss, given the fact that they had been shot outfor 117 in their first innings. But Hyderabad proved that the debaclewas only a minor aberration. Openers P Satwalkar (53) and ANandakishore (35) gave them a sound start putting on 89 runs off 31.5overs. Satwalkar, the more aggressive of the two, batted 2-1/2 hours,faced 103 balls and hit eight fours. The more obdurate Nandakishorewas second out at 115 after batting 194 minutes, facing 120 balls andhitting five fours.Building upon this good start, Md Azharuddin and Vinay Kumar added 104runs for the third wicket off 34.3 overs. Vinay Kumar matched his moreaccomplished partner in run production and by the time he was out for67, compiled off 141 balls and inclusive of ten hits to the ropes, thematch was virtually saved. Azharuddin batted right through to the endand for his unbeaten 63, he faced 153 balls and hit eight fours. MVSridhar who kept him company in the closing stages, faced 49 balls andbatted 50 minutes without opening his account. The Punjab captainVikram Rathour tried eight bowlers to no avail.