Ranji Trophy
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 29: Skipper Parvez Rasool wrecked havoc and spun web around rival batsmen to scalp 8 important wickets (85/8), before scoring magnificent unbeaten 53 runs to keep J&K hopes alive in the ongoing Ranji Trophy Group C match against Services at Palam Cricket Ground here today.
J&K were struggling at 115/6 in 51 overs at stumps on Day 2, with Rasool on 53 and Aamir Aziz on 3. Earlier on day one, winning the toss and batting First, J&K bundled out for paltry 95 runs in 31 overs. Shubam Khujuria was only batsman to show some resistance, scoring well made 44 runs while Irfan Pathan and Parvez Rasool contributed 12 and 11 runs respectively.
Non of the other batsman could cross the double figure mark. Khajuria was in fabulous touch and hit the ball with grace and elegance, but after his dismissal wickets fell like ninepins. For services left arm spinner A A Bamal took 5 wickets while medium pacer Divesh Pathania claimed 4 wickets.
In reply services resumed their innings on day 2 at an overnight score of 136/3 and managed to score 252 runs gaining vital first innings lead of 157 runs.
Openers Anshul Gupta (59) and NK Singh(58) scored valuable half centuries, while Rahul Singh and Rajat Palliwal contributed 40 and 22 runs respectively.
For J&K Parvez Rasool was pick of the bowlers who took 8 important wickets while Aamir Aziz and Umar Nazir claimed 1 wicket each.
Trailing 157 runs J&K again struggled in the second essay and were at 115/6 at the draw of stumps today. Parvez Rasool showed class and composure to score patient unbeaten 53 runs to salvage the sinking ship. Ian, Shubham and Pudhair chipped in with 15, 12 and 11 runs respectively. J&K are still trailing by 42 runs with 4 wickets in hand and two days of play still left in the match.
Rasool is the only hope for Jammu and Kashmir to make rivals bat again.
For Services Diwesh Pathania took 3 wickets while Sachinand Panday and AA Bamal claimed 2 and 1 wicket respectively.
In a chat with, EXCELSIOR, Rasool said,”By giving a target of something around 100 runs we can make a match of it”.
He further said that it is very difficult for the Services batsmen to score runs in the fourth innings of the match.
Follow our WhatsApp channel