CHANDIGARH, MAY 1: Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala made short work of Videocon XI, thrashing them by 117 runs in the third Gursagar Silver Cup cricket tournament here at the Gursagar ground today. PSEB moved into the quarterfinal round with this win.Lakhbir Singh, who played some one dayers for Punjab in Ranji Trophy, once again underlined his all round capabilities as he hit a swashbuckling unbeaten 68 and then bowled his spell economically, troubling the frontline Videocon batting line up. He was not afraid to play his strokes and placed the ball in gaps to convert singles into doubles and doubles into threes.PSEB rattled up a huge total of 256 for 6 in the allotted 40 overs. Apart from Lakhbir, wicket-keeper batsman Kulwinder Khanda played a fine knock of 51. Khanda and Sukhwinder Singh Tinkoo, sent in as a pinch-hitter to open the PSEB innings, shared in an opening partnership of 76. Tinkoo looked to be in total control before he was dismissed for 38. Later, Chander Shekhar, who had a quick 69 run partnership for the sixth wicket with Lakhbir, chipped in with 33.The Videocon bowlers were groping for shelter in the hot blazing sun. Their butter fingered fielders only heightened their miseries, allowing batsmen free runs.Wilting under the enormous ask, Videocon XI put a dismal show in batting as well. Only Kamalpreet showed any determination while the others succumbed in the face of accurate PSEB bowling, led by medium pacer Ajay Joshi, off spinner Shavinder Batish and left arm spinner Amit Kakria. Kamalpreet played a few brave strokes to score 30 but even he could not prevent Videocon XI from being bundled out for 139.In direct contrast to Videocon XI's fielding, PSEB outfit appeared totally professional, which makes them one of the favourites for the title.PUNCOM, boasting of many Punjab Ranji players, and Chetna Cricket Club will be pitted against each other in the quarterfinal match tomorrow.Brief scores: PSEB: 256 for 6 (Lakhbir Singh 68 n.o., Kulwinder Khanda 51, Sukhwinder Tinkoo 38, Chander Shekhar 33, Sodhi 2-42, Sanjiv 2-32) beat Videocon XI: 139 (Kamalpreet 30, Ravinder 20, Ajay Joshi 2-20, Shavinder Batish 2-37, Amit Kakria 2-29).
