Rasool bags 4 wks, debutant Akash sparkles
*After scalping 6 in 1st essay, Saurabh takes 5-for
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 7: Riding on a brilliant bowling display by all the bowlers, Jammu and Kashmir gained a vital lead of 102 runs over visitors Uttar Pradesh, but UP’s first innings bowling hero, Saurabh Kumar again spun web around rival batsmen, scalping 5 important wickets to take his side back on track and the Ranji Trophy group-c match hangs in balance at GGM Sciecne College hostel ground, here.
Earlier, resuming from an overnight score of 31/3, Uttar Pradesh bundled out for 188 runs in 57.2 overs, thus Jammu and Kashmir gained a vital lead of 102 runs in the first innings. Rinku Singh top scored with 66 runs, while skipper Aksh Deep Nath contributed valuable 43 runs. Wicket-keeper batsman Upendra Yadav and Saurabh Kumar chipped in with 13 runs each.
Skipper Parvez Rasool was the pick of the bowlers from Jammu and Kashmir, who took 4 wickets, while speedster Mohammad Mudhasir bagged 3 wickets and debutant pace bowling all-rounder Akash Choudhary took 2 wickets, including the crucial wicket of Test cricketer Suresh Raina. Left-arm spinner Waseem Raza also claimed one wicket.
However, Saurabh Kumar of Uttar Pradesh, who had taken six wickets in the first innings, again sparkled to take 5 important wickets and restricted Jammu and Kashmir to 98/7 at stumps on day-2 today. Ahmad Omar Banday top scored with 19 runs, while Shubham Khajuria and Paras Sharma contributed 14 runs each.
Akash Choudhary (14) and Waseem Raza (10) were at the crease at the draw of stumps. Saurabh Kumar was the wrecker-in-chief from Uttar Pradesh, while speedsters Imtiyaz Ahmed and Yash Dayal claimed one wicket each.
Now, J&K has a total lead of 200 runs, with 3 wickets in hand and two days of play left. So, the match hangs in balance and the team, the players of which hold their nerves better in the crunch situation will be the winner.
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