Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 21: Abdul Samad made history during the Ranji Trophy match between J&K and Odisha, becoming the first player from J&K to score centuries in both innings of a Ranji Trophy match.
In a challenging batting environment at Cuttack, Samad scored his fifth first-class century, contributing significantly to J&K’s performance. In the first innings, he scored a crucial century, and in the second innings, he followed it up with an unbeaten 108 runs off 100 balls, featuring 5 fours and 6 sixes. Other notable contributions came from Sahil Lotra, who made 28 runs, and Auqib Nabi, who added 15 runs.
After conceding a slim 2-run lead to Odisha in the first innings, J&K set a target of 269 runs. However, Odisha’s batsmen managed to hold on, finishing their second innings at 112/8 in 80.4 overs, with Sandeep Pattanaik scoring an unbeaten 55 off 222 balls, thereby saving the match from defeat.
J&K’s bowling attack saw Abid Mushtaq, Sahil Lotra, Umar Nazir, and Shubham Pundir each taking 2 wickets. The match ended in a draw, but Samad’s remarkable achievement highlights the improvement of cricket standards in J&K, as noted by Brig Anil Gupta of the JKCA, who congratulated Samad for his historic feat.
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