Rohtak: Haryana defeated Himachal Pradesh by 248 runs on the fourth and final day of the North Zone Ranji Trophy league match at Vishwakarama Stadium here today. The Haryana bowlers captured the remaining five wickets today at the cost of only 85 runs. Himachal Pradesh's second innings ended within two hours of play on the final day at 183.

Haryana's victory looked inevitable once Himachal's not out batsman Rajiv Nayyar was removed by Pradeep Jain for 33. The wicket fell at 109. Pradeep Jain struck again with the very next ball to dismiss the new batsman Arun Verma for a duck. The tailenders showed some resistance but they were overpowered by the Haryana bowlers. Shakti Singh made an aggressive 22 on 13 balls before being caught by Sanjay Dalal off Pankaj Thakur. Before his dimissal Shakti had lashed Pankaj Thakur for two sixes and a four off successive balls in his 6th over. Sandeep Moudgil scored 30 in 87 minutes off 57 balls with four boundaries. He was bowled by Pankaj Thakur.

Pradeep Jain was the most successful Haryana bowler with a haul of four wickets for 29 runs while Pankaj Thakur took three wickets.

Haryana gained 8 points from today's victory. They now have 24 points from 4 matches. Haryana is scheduled to play against Punjab in their last league encounter to be played at Gurgaon later this week.

© CricInfo