Powered by an aggressive half-century from Yuvraj Singh, Punjab registered an emphatic 71-run win over Orissa on Thursday to enter the final of the All-India inter state Twenty20 tournament.
Replying to an imposing Punjab score of 201 for 5, bottom-placed Orissa succumbed to pressure and could manage just 130 for 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Looking extremely comfortable on a good batting surface, Yuvraj belted eight boundaries and four sixes in his 39-ball knock of 70 to help Punjab record the highest total so far in the tournament.
Giving Yuvraj fine support was another southpaw Dinesh Mongia (43), with the duo adding 91 runs in just 61 balls for the third wicket.
Middle-order batsman Bipul Sharma with an unbeaten 26 off just 11 balls, played his part in helping Punjab cross the 200-run mark.
With Punjab gaining their third victory in Group A, the last match between Railways and Karnataka was of academic interest.
Railways scored an emphatic seven-wicket victory.
Chasing Karnataka's 20-over total of 162 for five, Railways replied with 163 for three in 19.1 overs.
