Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Bhui, Shoaib deny Punjab an outright win

Bhui's brilliant 181 combined with Shoaib Mohammad Khan's gritty half-century dashed Punjab's hopes of a win.

The significance of Bhui’s knock (181, 370b, 15 x 4, 3 x 6) could be gauged from the fact that his dismissal triggered a collapse which saw the host team lose its last three wickets for just 15 runs.

With seven runs needed to take a vital first inning lead against Punjab on the fourth and final day in the Ranji Trophy Group-B match, centurion Ricky Bhui of Andhra — resuming on his overnight score of 150 — added 31 more to see his team through a critical morning session at the ACA-VCA Stadium here on Sunday.

The significance of Bhui’s knock (181, 370b, 15 x 4, 3 x 6), sent back by Anmolpreet Singh, could be gauged from the fact that his dismissal triggered a collapse which saw the host team lose its last three wickets for just 15 runs.

Punjab's dismay was further amplified by No. 8 Shoaib Mohammed Khan who came up with a gritty half-century (52, 113b, 6 x 4) to dash the visitor's hopes, which at one stage threatened to upstage Andhra, thanks mainly to a  five-wicket haul by leg-spinner Mayank Markande.

In the inconsequential second essay, Punjab scored 102 for two as the match ended in a draw.

Brief Scores

Punjab 414 and 102 for two in 33 overs (Shubman Gill 54 n.o., Anmolpreet Singh 32) drew with Andhra 423 in 155.5 overs (Ricky Bhui 181, K.S. Bharat 76, B. Sumanth 54, Shoaib Khan 52, Mayank Markande five for 129).

Andhra 3, Punjab 1