da fezbet： Uttar Pradesh were well set to complete an emphatic victory overSaurashtra in the Ranji Trophy Super League Group C match at theMunicipal corporation ground in Rajkot on Sunday
05-Mar-2000Uttar Pradesh were well set to complete an emphatic victory overSaurashtra in the Ranji Trophy Super League Group C match at theMunicipal corporation ground in Rajkot on Sunday. At stumps on thesecond day, Saurashtra, chasing a victory target of 369 were down inthe dumps at 39 for three.It was an action packed second day’s play. At stumps on the openingday, Saurashtra were 89 for four in reply to UP’s first innings totalof 206. On Sunday morning skipper Gyanendra Pandey brought about asharp collapse as Saurashtra were skittled out for 118 runs. They losttheir last six wickets for 19 runs in ten overs as Pandey finishedwith five for 39. Only Firoz Bambhaniya with an unbeaten 35 showed asemblance of a fight.Enjoying a lead of 88 runs, UP went for quick runs in their secondinnings and were all out for 300 after batting only 53.3 overs. OpenerManoj Mudgal led the way with a stroke filled 44 off 55 balls beforehe was run out. Then Rizwan Shamshad cracked a fine 81 off just 81balls with nine hits to the ropes. Mohd Saif maintained the momentumwith a breezy 83 off 94 balls with seven fours and a six. These twobatsmen added 118 runs for the sixth wicket off 21.2 overs after fivewickets had fallen for 102. In the face of this tremendous onslaught,N Odera did well to finish with six for 63 off 14.3 overs.Chasing a tough victory target, Saurashtra were soon in trouble withSriwastava (2) and AW Zaidi (1) picking up the wickets and it surelyis only a matter of time before UP wrap up the game on Monday.