Punjab crush UP at Green Park to enter Nayudu final

Kanpur: As anticipated, Uttar Pradesh crumbled under the pressure of Punjab's mammoth first-innings total of 655 runs, conceding a massive 350-run lead and allowing the visitors to storm into the final of the CK Nayudu Trophy at Green Park Stadium on Friday.Resuming their innings at an overnight score of 218 for six, UP's remaining batsmen failed to put up much resistance and were bundled out for 305 in the pre-lunch session of the final day. In their second innings, Punjab reached 90 for 1 before umpires, with the consent of the match referee and both captains, called off play at tea. First-innings double centurion Jaskaranvir Singh Paul remained unbeaten on 53 off 62 balls, hitting nine boundaries, while skipper Uday Saharan was not out on 31 off 35 deliveries. The only wicket to fall was Harnoor Singh, bowled by Ajay Kumar for five. Though UP's fate seemed sealed on Thursday evening, hopes remained that their overnight batsmen, Mohammad Amaan and Sameer Rizvi, could mount a fightback. Expectations were particularly high for Sameer, who had an unbeaten century off 91 balls in his previous innings and two triple centuries to his name. Amaan and Rizvi adopted a defensive approach, adding 59 runs for the seventh wicket. The partnership ended when Rizvi was caught by Rahul Kumar off Aryaman Dhaliwal for 33 off 83 balls, including six boundaries. Amaan followed soon after, scoring 76 off a gritty 324 deliveries, with 10 boundaries. Vipraj Nigam played some attacking strokes to help UP cross the 300-run mark. For Punjab, Aryaman Dhaliwal was the most successful bowler, taking 4 for 62, while Emanjot Singh Chahal claimed 3 for 44. Brief score: Punjab first innings: 655; 2nd innings: 90/1 (Jaskaranvir Singh Paul 52 no, Uday Saharan 31 no, Ajay Kumar 1 for 27) UP first innings: 305 (Aaradhya 80, Mohd Amaan 76, Shoaib 47, Sameer Rizvi 33; Aryman Dhaliwal 62/4, Emanjot Chahal 44/3)
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