Dharamsala, Feb 19: Punjab entered the Vijay Hazare National One-Day Championship quarterfinals after a facile five-wicket win over the Services Sports Control Board in their North Zone leg encounter here today.
Electing to bowl after winning the toss, Punjab bowled out SSCB for 183 in 44.3 overs before making 186/5 in 45.4 overs to ease into the last-eight stage.
Punjab are at the top of the zonal table with 16 points after three wins in four matches.
Services found themselves cornered from the very start with four of their top-five batsmen failing to hit double-digit scores.
Number six Rajat Paliwal stood tall amid the ruins with 118-ball 96, which was studded with 13 fours.
But he did not get any support at the other end. For Punjab, Sandeep Sharma was the top wicket-taker with figures of 3/28 in eight overs.
In reply, Punjab sailed past the target with their top-half making decent contributions. Gurkeerat Singh (49) and Mayank Sidhana (43 not out) top-scored for Punjab.
Brief Scores:
Services: 183 all out in 44.3 overs (Rajat Paliwal 96, Sandeep Sharma 3/38)
Punjab: 186/5 in 45.4 overs (Gurkeerat Singh 49, Gurkeerat Singh 49 not out). (PTI)
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