Gurgaon: Punjab batted themselves into a position of strength despite the failure of their run machine Pankaj Dharmani on Day 2 of their North Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Haryana at the Nehru Stadium here yesterday. Yuvraj Singh's unbeaten century and his 185 run opening partnership with Vikram Rathour lifted Punjab to 233-2 at close of play.

Earlier, resuming at 242-8, Haryana were bowled out for 279 with off spinner Sharandeep Singh finishing with 6-98. Rathour and Yuvraj then put on 185 in 232 minutes before Rathour was caught behind by keeper Ratra off Pradeep Jain for 80 (169 balls, 11 fours). Two runs later Dharmani was out to the same combination for a six ball duck. Yuvraj was still going strong on 131 (251 balls, 18 fours, 2 sixes) in the company of Dinesh Mongia (14 not out).

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