Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Oct 2 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir staged a remarkable lower-order fightback on Day 2 of the Irani Cup, recovering from 37 for four and 166 for eight to post 278 and secure a crucial 41-run first-innings lead over Rest of India at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here on Friday.
Resuming at 21 for two after Rest of India were bowled out for 237 on the opening day, J&K slipped to 37 for four after Shubham Khajuria was dismissed for four and Qamran Iqbal for 24, as per details available with news agency JKNS.
Captain Paras Dogra and Abdul Samad then steadied the innings, putting together a 101-run partnership that brought the hosts back into the contest. J&K went into the tea interval at 70 for four.
Samad completed his half-century but was eventually dismissed for 57 off 88 balls, leaving J&K in trouble again at 166 for eight.
Dogra remained composed under pressure and top-scored with a valuable 75 off 143 balls, while No. 10 batter Lone Nasir Muzaffar produced an aggressive counterattack to completely change the course of the innings.
Nasir smashed 64 off just 58 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, and brought up his maiden first-class half-century off 48 deliveries. His attacking strokeplay, particularly against the pace bowlers, helped J&K cross Rest of India’s 237-run total.
Dogra and Nasir added 64 runs for the ninth wicket, while Nasir and Sunil Kumar contributed another 48 for the final wicket as J&K finished on 278.
Rest of India’s Mukesh Choudhary was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets for 78 runs, while Akash Deep claimed three wickets.
Beginning their second innings 41 runs behind, Rest of India lost Shikhar Mohan for two before Sanat Sangwan and Sudip Kumar Gharami steadied the innings.
At stumps, Rest of India were 24 for one after 15 overs, with Sangwan and Gharami unbeaten on 10 each, leaving them 17 runs behind J&K with nine wickets in hand.
The second day witnessed a major shift in momentum, with J&K recovering from 166 for eight to add 112 runs through their final two wickets and take the lead.
The Irani Cup is being played in Srinagar from October 1 to 5, with J&K, the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, taking on Rest of India in the prestigious fixture.
Brief scores: Rest of India 237 & 24/1 (15 overs) trail J&K 278 (64.2 overs) by 17 runs. J&K: Paras Dogra 75, Lone Nasir Muzaffar 64; Rest of India: Mukesh Choudhary 5/78, Akash Deep 3/43. (JKNS)
