Bangladesh have recalled Tushar Imran, the middle-order batsman, for the forthcoming one-day series in Kenya. Bangladesh, who recently lost a five-match one-day series to Zimbabwe, are scheduled to play three one-day internationals in Nairobi on August 12, 13 and 15.”Imran had been a stand-by for the African tour. We have called him as a replacement for injured captain Habibul Bashar,” Mahmudur Rahman, the Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive, was quoted as saying in an AFP report. Imran, whose last one-day appearance was against Australia at home in April, has so far scored 545 runs in 35 matches with two half-centuries. Khaled Mashud, the wicketkeeper-batsman, has been retained as the captain.Bashar, who was ruled out of the series owing to a finger injury, couldn’t hide his disappointment after Bangladesh went down 3-2 at Harare. “You can’t imagine what a pathetic moment it was when the embassy officials at Nairobi informed me that Bangladesh lost the match badly,” he told . “I had a 24-hour stopover there and obviously it was the most painful experience for me. I feel sorry for the country’s cricket mad people but I must request them to keep faith in us because we have proved in the last few series that we are an improving side. There is no room for excuse for this debacle but I still believe that we are far better a team than the present Zimbabwe side.”

ScorecardSurrey’s spinners kept their team in the chase for an automatic promotion place as Worcestershire threw away a winning position and with it left their own promotion hopes up in the air. Ben Smith and Vikram Solanki put the home side on course, but Chris Schofield and Nayan Doshi shared five wickets and Worcestershire fell 13 runs short.Solanki and Smith were knocking the runs off with ease as Worcestershire reached 179 for 3 but Mark Butcher, the Surrey captain, held his nerve. He knew the spinners would be hard to score off on a worn and glued pitch and so it proved.Doshi bowled Solanki for an elegant 47-ball 54, but the vital blows came from Schofield, who is fighting for a new county contract. He had Graeme Hick caught at long on then next ball had Smith taken at deep square-leg off a top-edged sweep.Schofield then claimed his third scalp, thanks to a reflex catch by Tim Murtagh at short extra-cover, and the equation was out of reach for Worcestershire.Surrey’s total was built around a captain’s innings from Mark Butcher who’d battled through tough early conditions when the seamers were on top. Quick-fire contributions from Rikki Clarke and Azhar Mahmood built on the foundation. They turned out to be vital innings, although Worcestershire will feel they threw the match away.

Having edged out India by 18 runs in a gripping tussle on Friday night, Ricky Ponting was confident of carrying the momentum forward into Sunday’s final against West Indies. Despite chopping and changing the side over the four league games, Australia managed to top the standings, and Ponting was determined that the preparation for the Champions Trophy would be completed in the best possible fashion, with victory in the final.”It was a terrific win by the team last night,” he said. “We’ve managed to win just enough games to make it through to the final, and the guys have had a chance to play some cricket and worked really hard in the last couple of weeks.” Ponting also suggested that the team taking the park on Sunday would be very close to that which would contest a group featuring India, England and possibly West Indies at the Champions Trophy next month.”I think it’ll be pretty close, the team we’ve picked has had to come out of that Champions Trophy squad, so that’s the way we’re looking at it,” he said. “I don’t think there’ll be many changes, apart from Brad [Haddin], who’ll be replaced by Adam [Gilchrist] of course. There can’t be anyway because we’ve only got 14 in the squad.”Having lost Monday’s game and survived a massive scare in the tournament opener, there was no question of taking the West Indian challenge lightly. “They were probably in position to win the first game as well and we got out of that one,” said Ponting. “We nearly pegged them back in the second game chasing runs, so they’ve been a little bit shaky chasing, which is a good sign going into a big game. It’ll be nice to get a total on the board tomorrow and see if they can chase them again.”They’ve played well, but I think their batting relies on a couple of players and their bowling’s been helped by the conditions in the series. They were the ones that deserved to get to the final first, and now that we’re there, we can hopefully put on a good show.”While he indicated that Shane Watson would once again open – he made 79 from 74 balls against India last week – Ponting had no issues with the manner in which teams had been picked during the fortnight. “It didn’t necessarily come down to the best performers. Looking at someone like Andrew Symonds, he hasn’t made many runs in this series but you’re not going to leave him out, are you? He’s a matchwinner.”There were no concerns over his own form, though he hasn’t played a big innings since stroking a superb 54 in the opening game. “It’d be nice to get some tomorrow,” he said. “I think I’ve actually been a bit stiff in a couple of the games. I got one that didn’t bounce in the first game and was caught at short fine leg and then fine leg in the other two innings, but that’s the way it goes. I feel okay, so hopefully that score can be tomorrow.”There was praise too for Haddin, who leaves for home after the final, after some eye-catching displays in this competition. “I was a bit surprised looking at the television last night, and seeing that he’d played 18 one day games for us,” he said. “I didn’t think he’d played that many. But he’s just matured a lot as a player, I think having a leadership role with New South Wales has helped him out, and whenever he’s come in, in a lot of different roles, he’s looked at home. He’s got a lot of years ahead of him, and would be able to slot into our national side very easily.”Brad Hogg, who played such a vital role in the defeat of India, was another who keenly awaited the final clash. “It rained the other night [the first game against India] when I got a crack and I was just looking to get some overs under my belt,” he said, when asked about the India game. “I’m very happy with how that went and very happy about the team getting into the final.

“It’s just a matter of chipping in and doing what’s best for the team. I was happy to do that job, and I think the team is now starting to gel after a few months’ break.” When quizzed about he had set up Suresh Raina, finally getting him with a googly that he didn’t read, Hogg smiled and said: “You bowl to each player and try to work them out, but the more you bowl to them, the more they start to read you. So hopefully, you get them out cheaply and they don’t get that chance.”Though his evening was soured somewhat by Fremantle, his Aussies Rules Football team losing a preliminary final, Hogg was delighted to be back in the mix, having been in and out of the side in recent seasons, despite playing a prominent role in the World Cup triumph of 2003. “The way the team’s been picked over the last couple of years, Watto [Shane Watson] and myself have been in and out of the team,” he said. “If you go back to when Ian Harvey was playing, I think it was either me or Ian going in and out of the team. That’s the way it’s been and we’ll see how it goes down the track. I definitely want to play in the next World Cup; to defend the title would be sensational.”For the moment, all his thoughts concerned West Indies, and a tilt at a first trophy of the season. “We’ve got a good line-up and I think we can take out the West Indies,” he said. “I think we’ve got to target Lara and Gayle, make sure they don’t get a good start. If we can put the pressure on them, it adds to the pressure on the lower order.”Some Australian newspapers may have dubbed it the ‘Who Cares Cup’, but don’t go telling that to the players. Now that they’re in the final, with all the experimentation behind them, there’s only one thing on their minds. With the Champions Trophy, the only bauble missing from the cabinet, and the Ashes looming, an emphatic victory tomorrow will be just the springboard that Ponting and his team need for the arduous seasonahead.

Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, is looking forward to a disciplined performance from his bowlers in the remaining qualifying matches of the Champions Trophy after making a winning start.Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 37 runs in the opening qualifier under lights here on Saturday, but their bowling left a lot to be desired. They conceded 36 extras, the second-highest contributor in Bangladesh’s total of 265 for 9, after posting a challenging 302 for 8. Their bowlers sent down 13 wides and six no-balls.”We did not play our A-class game and there are certain areas where we have to improve and we will do that in remaining games,” said Jayawardene. Sri Lanka play Zimbabwe at Ahmedabad on October 10 and defending champions West Indies on October 14 at Mumbai in their last two qualifying matches. The top two sides will advance to the main draw that features world champions Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan.Jayawardene said his team did not perform up to the mark in the opening game because they had not played much international cricket in recent months. They played their last full one-day international three months ago. “We didn’t play a smart game, especially in the second half of their innings but we have not played many one-dayers recently and that was one of the reasons why we were not able to perform to our potential.”He didn’t blame the dew for his bowlers’ below-par performance when they fielded under lights at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium. “The dew came on only around 8.30pm and by that time the spinners had nearly bowled their overs,” he said. “We have to expect such things in day-night matches. I think it is good that we fielded in the evening. It will give us an idea what to expect in remaining matches.”Habibul Bashar, the Bangladesh captain, defended his decision to field first after winning the toss, saying his bowlers failed to make the most of conditions in early stages. “It was a good toss to win,” he said. “There was grass on the wicket, but we didn’t put the ball in the right areas in the opening 10 overs.”Seamers Mashrafe Mortaza, Syed Rasel and Farhad Reza failed to get early wickets and went on to concede 188 runs in 28 overs. “In the end, the target proved too high for us,” said Bashar, whose team still managed to post their highest-ever total against Sri Lanka in 18 one-day internationals.Jayawardene, however, said he would have batted first had he won the toss. “It was a good wicket to bat on. I think it is always better to set a target when you play against teams like Bangladesh.”Bangladesh will now meet the West Indies on October 11 and Zimbabwe on October 13 at Jaipur.

The following is a transcript of an interview carried on Cricinfo in 1999

CI I have with me, an all time great and one who contributed a lot to Indian cricket in all forms and at all levels – Polly Umrigar, who served at various level of cricket as a manager, coach for Indian cricket. Welcome to the show, Sir. Let us have an introduction about your playing days and how you started your cricketing career?Polly Umrigar Well, I was in Solapur and I was hardly 12 or 13 years old and went to see the seniors playing. The captain of the side said he was short of a player and asked if I would join the side. I replied in the affirmative and was keen to get into the game. The position they gave me to field was deep fine leg. The wicketkeeper was not a good one and was leaving the balls. I had to chase the balls to see that it did not go for four. After the match, the captain said “Polly you have a good cricket future. You are a very promising boy.” I still remember these words.Later a gentlemen called Pandey asked me why I was wasting the time and asked me to join in his coaching camp. In Solapur, we had only matting wickets and we had two sessions for three hours each. They taught how to bowl the inswinger, outswinger and so on. They made a circle in that matting and asked us to bowl in the circle and would have to count it by ball by ball. That helped me to maintain the length when I was playing Ranji and national and higher levels.Even when we were batting, a six feet tall man – one Mr. Singh bowled with the new ball from few steps. During those time we didn’t have protection like helmet and thigh pads. So many times I have been hit on my arms and thighs. Believe it or not certain times when I was moving a little bit, our coach who stood behind the nets, asked me not to move. Really they grilled me a lot. As my father was transferred to Bombay from Solapur, I came to Bombay. After joining school, I was unable to play for them because when you come from outside you couldn’t play for the first year. Hence I could not get a chance in the city matches also. After I joined St. Xavier’s College, one of our coaches Mr. Bhagadur Kapadia saw me and he asked me to play for his club. He never disturbed my batting style for otherwise you would have seen a different Polly Umrigar. Clubs were approaching me and I was playing for bigger clubs to play bigger matches. In my opinion, coaches play a vital role for any cricketer.CI Coming to your cricketing area, when you made your debut against West Indies in 1948-49, you put on 70 odd runs with Dattu Phadkar that too when India was in great trouble. What was that experience like?PU Before answering that question, I would like to say something about the way how I got into the side. There was one All India University match against the touring West Indies side and I got 130 runs in that match. The man who came into the dressing-room was none other than [George] Headley. He was pleased and told me that “You have wonderful cricket in you. Keep it up.” To get something like this from a top man was very, very encouraging for me. I was selected for the Delhi Test where I was in the 14 but couldn’t get a chance to play. In the next Test in Bombay which was my home ground, I was selected in the XI. With India in deep trouble, Phadkar asked me not to go for shots and asked me to stay until lunch. If I remember correctly, I scored 30 not out till lunch and we pulled India out of danger. It was the first time in Test cricket when I felt that I could also achieve something in the game.CI The match against England at Madras, when you scored 130 not out in the 1951-52 series which in fact that was the first ever Test win for India. What was your experience?PU I was in the 14. Hemu Adhikari met with an accident and he was not able to play. So, the skipper said “You are in the side”. I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I sort of stuck over there and got 130 not out. Not only that we also won our first Test match.CI What was your feeling when you became a first Indian to score a double hundred in Test cricket against Kiwis in Bombay?PU Against New Zealand …I was the skipper and I was the first man to get 223. I was very very pleased and very, very happy. Somebody making a mark in cricket and it stays there.CI Tell us something about your experiences while playing for India?PU Well, apart from cricket I play hockey and football too. During my time, when I was leading or playing for Bombay, we had a very strong batting side and would get a minimum of 500 runs. That solidity was there in the batting, which sort of made Bombay go and win the national championship final so many times. After I settled in Bombay, so many clubs were approaching me to play for them. The first entry I made in a big match was at the Pentangular which was played in 1944-45 and 1945-46 as an offspinner. After the Pentangular was stopped I started playing Ranji in successful fashion till my retirement.Here I would like to add something about my Test experience especially against Pakistan in Delhi in 1961. I have not been captain after the Madras incident. When Nari Contractor was injured, I was standing in the slips and watching Hanif Mohammed batting. He seemed to be a little bit shaky against the movement of the ball. If I remember correctly that time Ramakant Desi and Bapu Nadkarni were bowling. In fact Bapu was admired by the great Sobers. Hence the next morning, I called Bapu and told him he was so stingy of giving away the runs. But try and get wickets. Soon I called Bapu to bowl and follow my advice. We almost won the match. Fazal Mahmood was not watching the game. He was sitting in the corner. In the evening, he said `Thank God, Polly is not captain of India’. In the Test match against MCC at Calcutta the next season, I remember again Nari got injured and I took over the captaincy. When Barrington was batting I asked Ramakant to bowl short. Barrington hooked and Durrani took a good catch. After I left the ground, people asked me come to the centre for getting an ovation. Really these things are long remembered. When I was in good form with both bat and ball I had planned to retire.CI How did you use your earlier experience in the Bombay side?PU When I was leading or playing for Bombay, we had a good batting, bowling and fielding side. Normally we always tried to make the batsmen tired for he will get out easily. On the morning, we used to wish our captain by going to his room and in the evening both teams would sit together for a chat. But the next morning we were very serious about the game. This is how we developed the team spirit.CI After you stopped playing cricket were you involved closely with any cricketing activities?PU After 1962, I stopped playing and entered into administration, as a selector of the Bombay Cricket Association (MCA) and then I became the manager of the Indian team. I was also in the managing committee of the association, before becoming the honorary joint secretary of the MCA. Later, when Mr Wankhede approached me for building a stadium, I was involved in the building of the Wankhede stadium and spent almost every day from nine to nine for it.CI Well Sir… Can you tell us about your book on coaching. How does it work for youngesters regarding coaching and batting?PU I have written it in a simple format and gave [the] book to all the schools, all the associations even outside the board. I just want to give something back to the game, to the younger generation. This success has tempted me to bring another book on preparation of pitches.

The defeat at Kingsmead was so comprehensive that it¹s difficult to seewhere the Indian team can turn to for solace as they prepare for the threematches that are left in the one-day series. On a pitch that wasn’t as venomous as it can be, most of the batsmen were ruthlessly exposed by South Africa¹s pace arsenal, with only Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid suggesting that they had the technique, the nous and the stomachfor battle that might keep utter humiliation at bay.There¹s not much that can be done between now and the next game in CapeTown on November 26. Batsmen raised on placid Indian pitches are not going to overcometheir technical shortcomings in a 48-hour period, hard as they may workat nets and in front of the bowling machine. Virender Sehwag, who hasstruggled in recent times, showed on the tour of Australia in 2003-04 that a positive outlook and implicit faith in the methods that hadtaken him to the international arena were enough to overcome the technicalglitches that many had predicted would be his downfall on Australianpitches.He had done much the same thing on his Test debut in Bloemfontein, scoringa brilliant century against an attack that was every bit as lively as theone that inflicted the 157-run humiliation in Durban. Greg Chappell andmany of the game¹s great thinkers have often stressed just how muchsuccess at this level is about getting your mind in order, and Sehwag inhis pomp epitomised that ­ with an unfettered, uncomplicated approach thatreaped spectacular rewards.For the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina, confronted by suchconditions for the first time, that is the primary challenge. Theirfootwork and repertoire of strokes won¹t change drastically in the spaceof a tour, but they have to repose faith in the power of positive thinkingif an unrelenting pace attack are not to chew them up and spit them out.Sehwag himself is said to have benefited immensely from a session withRudi Webster during the West Indies tour, and Chappell, who has first-handexperience of the value of that from his playing days, must now focus ongetting the message through to his embattled middle order.Players with less talent than Dhoni and Raina have left South Africa withmore than a few runs in the kitbag, only because they trusted theinstincts that had made them successful in the first place. And while thestand-and-deliver approach that often works in India will come a cropperhere, the need of the hour is a tweak here and an adjustment there, ratherthan a wholesale overhaul of technique.

Much has been made of the team selection for the tour, but with theexception of VVS Laxman, who should have been a shoo-in once Yuvraj Singhlimped out, there¹s no one back home in India who could be expected to flyover and come to grips with these surfaces and this quality of attack.Lest we forget, this same South African side defeated Australia 3-2 in aone-day series, skittling them out for 93 in the Cape Town game.Graeme Smith spoke after the Durban win about how much of his team¹sprogress over the last couple of seasons was down to overcoming the fearof failure. The biggest challenge for the Indian team management is to tryand instil a similar attitude. They may crash and burn playing what MickeyArthur likes to call “brave cricket”, but that option is any daypreferable to surrendering as meekly as they did at Kingsmead. Dravid willno doubt lead from the front, but the bigger task before him is ensure thathis more callow team-mates follow.It is a challenge for Chappell too. More than anyone else he believescricket, batting in particular, to be a game of the mind. Some Indianbatsmen looked shell-shocked last night. If they begin to believe theycan’t, the battle would be hopelessly lost.

Despite that traumatic defeat in the second Test at Adelaide last week, England’s captain, Andrew Flintoff, believes his team are capable of making history when the crucial third Test gets underway at the WACA tomorrow.”This Perth Test is huge,” Flintoff told reporters on the eve of the match. “We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved as a team in the last three or four years and we want to carry on creating history as a team. We are very much aware that we would be creating history if we did come back into the series and it’s something we desperately want to do.”No English side has ever come back from 2-0 down in an Ashes series, and it has only been done once in the history of the contest – by Don Bradman’s Australians in 1936-37. Even so, Flintoff called on his side to harness the same resolve they had shown in recent seasons, which – when the dust has settled – are sure to be remembered as some of the finest performances by any England teams in history.There was the Ashes triumph in 2005, of course, which needs no further mention here – least of all because the “A-word” has been banned in the Australian dressing-room. But since Flintoff became the heartbeat of England’s team in the winter of 2003-04, they have won in the Caribbean for the first time in 36 years, in South Africa for the first time in 40, and until their defeat in Pakistan last winter, had won six series in a row, including all seven Tests of the 2004 summer.A turnaround on this tour, however, would top the lot. “I don’t think we need any more motivation,” said Flintoff. “We’re in Australia playing an Ashes series and for all of us now it’s probably the biggest Test of our careers. Everyone is up for it in the dressing-room, because to come back into this series now would be the ultimate.”It’s a very proud team and we want to give a good account of ourselves,” he added. “We came close in Adelaide but in this game we’ve got to go one further. This Perth Test is huge. Ideally we need a win and, if not, a draw and then the last two [Tests] will look after themselves. This game we have to look at almost in isolation and hit them hard.””We’ve had to get Adelaide out of our system,” said Flintoff. “We were probably in shock at Adelaide and then two days later it sunk in. A lot of good things came out of the Test but for two hours we lost our way and lost the Test. It just shows you can’t do that playing against Australia.”

Flintoff singled out four performers at Adelaide for special praise – Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Matthew Hoggard – but it is his own performance as captain, batsman and strike bowler that will be the most pivotal to England’s fortunes. To that end, there has been much concern about the state of his injured ankle, but Flintoff insisted that he was fit and ready to bowl flat out.”My ankle is fine,” he said. “I bowled in the nets yesterday, but I haven’t bowled today. After my surgery I probably naively thought everything would be fine and I’d get no pain ever again in my life. But playing back-to-back Test matches is tough. I’ve not done it for a while and I did get some discomfort.”I had it checked out and I’ve bowled since – in the last innings of the last Test and in the nets here – so it’s not something I’m concerned about. We’ve tried to limit the overs I bowl in a day for a period of time now, but that’s dictated by the situation in the game. I’ve always been a willing bowler and I’ll carry on doing that.”After a few days off to recover from the shock of Adelaide, Flintoff was adamant that his team was ready for their big challenge. “After the loss it was a little bit flat, but the team has been great throughout,” he said. “There is still that confidence and the calmness which we’ve had all along on this trip. It’s a side full of character and that’s going to have to come out in this Test.”Apart from the defeats I’ve enjoyed the trip,” he added. “I think all the lads have. When you lose Test matches you will get criticism and that’s something I’m prepared to take. I’ve had it before and I’m sure I’ll have it again. I’m happy in what I’m doing and I’ve given the job everything I’ve got and I can rest easy in that.”

Darren Pattinson could make his first-class debut against South Australia at Melbourne on Friday. Pattinson, the Victoria fast bowler, has been called into the 12-man squad after Gerard Denton suffered a recurrence of the severe shin soreness that kept him on the sidelines before Christmas.Pattinson, 28, was plucked from obscurity for the limited-overs team earlier this season when the majority of Victoria’s contracted fast bowlers were injured. He played five games and proved a steady and economical performer.Brad Hodge has also returned to the line-up and will captain Victoria after his brief and unsuccessful foray into the Australia one-day team. Rob Quiney was omitted from the 12 to make way for Hodge.South Australia, who prop up the Pura Cup table in last place, will need a turnaround in form to challenge the second-placed Victoria. The Bushrangers are coming off a confidence-boosting come-from-behind victory against New South Wales last week when they chased down 360 in the fourth innings of a low-scoring game.Victoria squad Nick Jewell, Lloyd Mash, Michael Klinger, Brad Hodge (capt), David Hussey, Jon Moss, Andrew McDonald, Adam Crosthwaite (wk), Shane Harwood, Michael Lewis, Darren Pattinson.South Australia squad Tom Plant, Jason Borgas, Matthew Elliott (capt), Daniel Harris, Mark Cosgrove, Ben Cameron, Shane Deitz (wk), Ryan Harris, Jason Gillespie, Dan Cullen, Shaun Tait, Cullen Bailey.

Munaf Patel has been ruled out of the first two one-day internationals against West Indies later this month after being advised to rest for two weeks due to a sore ankle.Munaf picked up the injury during the early stages of the tour in South Africa and missed three ODIs and the first two Tests. He was selected for the final Test at Cape Town but was clearly not fit and struggled throughout the match, bowling just one over in the second innings.He was examined by Dr Anant Joshi from the BCCI when he returned to India and the rest period was advised. Therefore, Patel will miss the matches at Nagpur and Cuttack, which form part of a four-match series against West Indies as a warm-up to the World Cup.The injury is also set to rule Munaf out of the Ranji Trophy elite division Group B match against Mumbai at Nashik, starting on January 10.

ScorecardNapoleon Einstein starred in his debut match for Tamil Nadu, scoring 92 in his side’s 46-run win against Kerala at the Railways Recreation Club Ground at Secunderabad. Murali Vijay, another young player enjoying a dream debut season, scored 112 and it was his double-century opening stand with Einstein which set the platform for Tamil Nadu’s imposing score of 330 for 4. S Badrinath’s late order assault – he scored 64 off 42 balls – took the score past 300. Raiphi Gomez led Kerala’s charge with a run-a-ball 105 but it went in vain as his side managed 284 in the allotted overs.
ScorecardSwapnil Asnodkar’s unbeaten 83 guided Goa to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Andhra at the Gymkhana Ground in Secunderabad. Asnodkar faced 99 balls in his knock and struck 11 fours, helping his side chase down the modest target of 159 in just under 38 overs. Earlier, Sagun Kamat, Goa captain, justified his decision to insert the opposition as Andhra were wobbling at 12 for 3. Prabhu Kiran responded with a fluent 32 off 26 balls but failed to convert his good start. Satya Kumar Varma top-scored with 38 but it was the collective failure of the batsmen which let them down, as they failed to bat out their 50 overs.
ScorecardChandrashekar Raghu’s allround performance guided Karnataka to an easy six-wicket win over Hyderabad at Uppal. Raghu took two wickets in his eight overs and scored 45 as the visitors chased down the target of 190 with ease to win the Subbaiah Pillai Trophy. The Karnataka spinners, led by former left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi, kept the runs in check and shared five wickets between them to tie the home side down. Joshi was particularly parsimonious, conceded just 18 off his 10 overs, picking up two wickets in the process. Arjun Yadav resisted with a patient 56 off 105 balls but lacked support from the rest.Bharath Chipli led Karnataka’s chase with 45, sharing a second-wicket stand of 82 with Barrington Rowland. Raghu kept the momentum going, scoring six fours in his knock and Deepak Chougule steered the side to victory with an unbeaten 44.
ScorecardConnor Williams’s half century guided Baroda to a four-wicket win over Saurashtra at the Brabourne Stadium. Chasing 222, Baroda were in a spot of bother at 16 for 2, and it was Williams’ two crucial partnerships which shaped the victory. He added 69 for the third wicket with Rakesh Solanki (35) and a more productive 65 with Pinal Shah for the fourth wicket. Shah made a 46-ball 49 with seven fours and Williams fell for 59 soon after. Yousuf Pathan’s quick-fire 42 guided the side home with under five overs to spare. Shitanshu Kotak, the experienced left-handed middle-order batsman, top-scored for Saurashtra with 53 but the rest failed to compile a challenging score after he was dismissed in the 33rd over.
ScorecardMaharashtra snuck home by one wicket against Mumbai in a tense finish at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing 244, the visitors lost their ninth wicket for 235 but it was Anupam Sanclecha, who scored a run-a-ball 34, who guided his side home with over an over to spare. Maharashtra lost half their side with only 111 on board and from thereon, the lower order fought back and wrested the initiative in the middle overs. Mumbai were in the driver’s seat when Sairaj Bahutule was the eighth batsman to be dismissed with his side still requiring 53 before Sanclecha then took over. Earlier, Mumbai opted to bat first and posted 243 for 9, boosted by half centuries by Rohit Sharma and Prashath Naik.
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Karan Goel struck a vital 84 in Punjab’s 24-run victory against Delhi at Mohali. It was a tight contest with Punjab scoring 242 for 9 before their bowlers put in a disciplined effort to restrict Delhi to 218 for 9. Apart from Goel, the only contributions of note were Dinesh Mongia’s 37 and Udal Kaul’s 35. Delhi’s bowlers shared the wickets between them but Mithun Manhas returned the best figures of 2 for 35 off ten overs. Aakash Chopra and Gautam Gambhir gave Delhi the ideal start scoring 100 off 20 overs. Then Gambhir was run out and Gagandeep Singh struck two decisive bowlers to leave Delhi struggling at 112 for 3. Thereafter they lost wickets at regular intervals and fell short of the target.
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Abid Nabi decimated the Services top-order and spearheaded Jammu & Kashmir’s 54-run victory at Patiala. Nabi also starred in a team hat-trick as Jammu & Kashmir skittled Services for 93 after they had posted 147 for 8 in a match that was reduced to 20 overs a side. Dhruv Mahajan top-scored for Jammu & Kashmir with 51 and Yashpal Singh was Services’ best bowler with 3 for 28. In the third over of Services’ chase, Nabi dismissed Jasvir Singh and Yashpal Singh of successive deliveries and ran out Narendra Kumar off the next ball. He had Sanjay Verma caught in his next over and Services never recovered after being reduced to 11 for 5.Match abandoned due to rain
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Heavy rain forced the Ranji Trophy match between Haryana and himachal Pradesh to be abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh.