Yuvraj blitz Powers Punjab into Last-8

Out-of-favour India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh powered Punjab chase of 324 with a quickfire 98 as his team defeated Services by three wickets and qualify for the knockout stages of the Vijay Hazare cricket tournament, here on Friday.

Opting to bowl, Punjab saw Services pile up 323 for seven with the help of twin centuries by Nakul Verma (113) and Soumya Swain (101) in the stipulated overs at the Railways Recreation Club Ground. Verma hit nine boundaries and a six in his 125-ball knock, while Swain needed just 90 balls to score his runs and struck 10 fours.

In reply, Punjab were off to a solid start with openers Pargat Singh (49 off 39 balls) and Jiwanjot Singh (41 off 35) adding 82 runs for the first wicket in 10 overs. Mandeep Singh made 45 off 56 balls, while Mayank Sidhana scored 46 runs off 49 deliveries.

However, it was Yuvraj who anchored the chase before skipper Harbhajan (16 not out) and Gitansh Khera (13) took the team past the daunting target. Yuvraj smashed eight boundaries and four sixes, facing 83 balls.

Meanwhile in Delhi, opener Unmukt Chand smashed an unbeaten 118 off 99 balls to fire hosts to a nine-wicket win over Andhra and reach the quarter-finals. Delhi ended Group C in second spot, having earned 12 points from five wins in six matches.