AS EXPECTED, Saurashtra trounced J&K by ten wickets on the final day of the Vijay Merchant Trophy cricket tournament at the Bab-e-Aali Stadium on Friday. Saurashtra gained bonus points with the win.
Resuming the overnight score of 48 runs for the loss of three wickets, J& K batted well. After the dismal performance in the first innings, J&K looked better in the second innings.
Bandeep Singh, who played well on Thursday, maintained the rhythm on Friday also and scored runs on every bad delivery. When he looked settled, he was trapped plumb in front of the wicket against the ball of Arav Dave. He scored 53 runs.
Next batsman Abhinav too batted well. However, he was not lucky like Bandeep as he lost his wicket three short of the half-century. Again, Arav Dave came out to stop a good innings.
Abhinav was caught out by substitute Jignesh on the delivery of Arav. But Akash Sharma, who was stealing ones and twos comfortably on the other end, touched the 50-run mark. He top scored with 59 runs.
Though there were good innings by the middle order batsmen, the gloomy show by the upper order could only set 17 runs target for Saurshtra. J&K scored 244 runs in their second innings.
{{/usCountry}}Though there were good innings by the middle order batsmen, the gloomy show by the upper order could only set 17 runs target for Saurshtra. J&K scored 244 runs in their second innings.
{{/usCountry}}Completing the formalities, opening pair of Saurashtra scored the required runs in 4.3 overs. With this win Saurashtra and Kerala have the same points. The third match of the tournament will be played between Maharashtra and J&K at the same venue from December 25.
Chief guest of the final day Barkatullah University Vice Chancellor RS Sirohi was introduced the players of both teams. BDCA vice president Shafquat Mohammad Khan, Hamidullah Khan ‘Mamu’, Tarique Zafar, IPC chairman Arif Masood, Rajiv Gandhi College chairman Sajid Khan, Sajid Noor and others were present on the occasion.