Ranji Trophy Semifinal
Asif Iqbal
Srinagar, Feb 17 (GNS): Jammu and Kashmir moved within touching distance of a historic maiden appearance in the Ranji Trophy final after a pulsating third day in the semifinal at Kalyani, ending just 83 runs away from victory with eight wickets in hand.
The penultimate day unfolded as a gripping pace duel, with 17 wickets tumbling and momentum swinging dramatically. Bengal spearhead Mohammed Shami kept his side in the hunt with a sensational spell of 8 for 90 — a career-best in first-class cricket.
Resuming at 198/5, J&K were eventually bowled out for 302 in their first innings, conceding a slender 26-run lead after Bengal’s 328. A vital 64-run ninth-wicket partnership between Auqib Nabi Dar (42) and Yudhvir Singh (33) proved crucial in trimming the deficit and maintaining pressure.
The match turned decisively in the second session as J&K’s pace battery ripped through Bengal’s second innings. Auqib Nabi capped a superb all-round display with figures of 4 for 36, taking his match tally to nine wickets. Sunil Kumar complemented him brilliantly with 4 for 27 as Bengal were skittled out for just 99. Only Shahbaz Ahmed (24) offered brief resistance.
Chasing a modest target of 126, J&K suffered early setbacks when Akash Deep removed both openers to leave them at 12/2. However, Shubham Pundir (23) and Vanshaj Sharma (9) steadied the chase with an unbeaten 31-run stand.
At stumps, J&K were 43/2 in their second innings, needing 83 more runs to script what would be the most significant milestone in the team’s domestic cricket history. (GNS)
