Vijay Hazare Trophy Semi-final: Anmolpreet’s century powers Punjab to 291 against Saurashtra

Punjab were bowled out for 291 in 50 overs in the second semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Saurashtra at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground, Bengaluru, after being put in to bat earlier in the day. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat won the toss and opted to bowl, with the winner set to face Vidarbha in Sunday’s final.

Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Harnoor Singh gave Punjab a steady start, adding valuable runs in the powerplay. Harnoor looked in good touch before a sharp piece of fielding led to his run-out for 33 off 43 balls, with Chirag Jani effecting the dismissal.

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Prabhsimran anchored the innings superbly, finding the boundary with ease and rotating the strike well. He brought up his half-century off 56 balls and continued to dominate the Saurashtra attack, striking nine fours and three sixes during his stay. Punjab crossed the 100-run mark inside 20 overs as Prabhsimran and Anmolpreet Singh began to build momentum.

Anmolpreet, who arrived after the early wicket, played a composed yet authoritative innings. He reached his fifty off 58 balls with a series of elegant drives and kept the scoreboard ticking even as Saurashtra tightened the screws through the middle overs. The bowlers, led by Unadkat and Sakariya, applied pressure with disciplined lines, resulting in a boundary drought that stalled Punjab’s scoring rate.

The breakthrough eventually came when Chirag Jani dismissed Prabhsimran for a well-made 87, ending a crucial partnership. However, Anmolpreet carried on unfazed, accelerating in the death overs and bringing up a deserved century off 103 balls. His knock was applauded from the stands and proved to be the backbone of Punjab’s innings.

Superb Stand

Captain Prabhsimran Singh & Anmolpreet Singh stitched together an excellent 1⃣0⃣9⃣-run stand

Watch snippets of their partnership

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— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 16, 2026

Punjab lost a cluster of wickets towards the end as Saurashtra struck back strongly. Anmolpreet fell for 100, attempting to clear the boundary, before Sakariya and Jani picked up multiple wickets in quick succession. The late collapse dented Punjab’s hopes of pushing towards the 330-mark, but their top-order contributions ensured a competitive total.

Saurashtra will need 292 runs to book their place in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, setting up a high-pressure chase against a Punjab side.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Semi-final Saurashtra vs Punjab: Playing XI

Saurashtra playing XI