Facing Indian Airlines' mammoth 286 for seven in 45 overs, Chand Khanna Club almost pulled it off against an attack that included former India speedster Dodda Ganesh, Vineet Jain, Virender Sehwag, Sonu Sharma and Sukhwinder Singh.

Pankaj Joshi (70: 3x4, 3x6) and Sohail Rauf (50: 3x4) were not overawed by the big occasion and shared a 116-run partnership for the fifth wicket that gave the underdogs a semblance of a chance to upset the favourites. Later Sunil Joshi (23 not out) and Ajay Sharma Jr (31 not out) added 57 runs for the unbroken eighth wicket to give an outside hope to the team's aspirations. But the team fell short of the target by a mere 17 runs as they ran out of overs.

Opener Naveen Negi (37: 4x4, 1x6) was the other batsman to make an impression. Dodda Ganesh finished with three for 56 from nine overs.

Earlier openers J Arun Kumar (65: 6x4, 2x6) and V V S Laxman (72: 9x4) gave the Airlines a confident start with a 141-run partnership. Despite the early dismissals of skipper Vijay Dahiya (run out for 17) and hard-hitting batsman Virender Sehwag (one of the World Cup probables waiting for a national call during the current triangular series), Airlines managed to reach 286 for seven in the stipulated 45 overs. An unbeaten 55 by Shafiq Khan (4x4) and Fazal Khaleel's 43 (4x4, 1x6) and their 67-run stand for the fifth wicket lifted the total after Airlines had lost four wickets for 35 runs in the middle overs.

Young left-arm spinner Tony Singh (a member of Delhi's under-16 squad) was the most successful bowler for Chand Khanna, capturing three for 41 from eight overs. Rodney Charles and Sunil Joshi chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Airlines moved a step closer towards earning a spot in the semi-finals with their second successive victory in the four-team pool. They take on hosts Roshanara Club in their final league encounter tomorrow. Chand Khanna have finished their league engagements with two wins and a loss while Roshanara have one win and a loss so far.

Brief scores: Indian Airlines: 286 for 7 in 45 overs (J Arun Kumar 65, V V S Laxman 72, Fazal Khalil 43, Shafiq Khan not out 55, Tony Singh 3 for 41, Rodney Charles 1 for 49, Sunil Joshi 1 for 66).

Chand Khanna Club: 269 for 7 in 45 overs (Pankaj Joshi 70, Sohail Rauf 50, Naveen Negi 37, Ajay Sharma Jr 31 not out, Sunil Joshi 23 not out, Dodda Ganesh 3 for 56, Sonu Sharma 2 for 36).