Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Oct 4 (JKNS): Rest of India defeated Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs in the Irani Cup at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on Sunday, completing a comprehensive victory inside four days of the five-day contest.
J&K, chasing a target of 279 runs in their second innings, were bowled out for 111 in 28.4 overs, with the hosts losing wickets at regular intervals as Rest of India’s bowling attack wrapped up the contest in the second session on Day 4, as per news agency JKNS.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also visited the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium on Sunday and witnessed the fourth day’s proceedings of the prestigious Irani Cup encounter between J&K and Rest of India.
Sinha watched J&K’s chase against Rest of India as the hosts attempted to overhaul the 279-run target. However, J&K’s innings ended at 111, handing Rest of India a 167-run victory.
The match was being hosted in Srinagar for the first time, marking a significant occasion for cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
Rest of India, who had been reduced to 197 for eight in their second innings, were rescued by Ravichandran Smaran, who remained unbeaten on 126 off 131 balls. His innings included 15 fours and five sixes and helped Rest of India recover strongly before setting J&K a target of 279.
For J&K, Umar Nazir Mir and Sahil Lotra claimed three wickets each in Rest of India’s second innings, while Lone Nasir Muzaffar had earlier taken three wickets.
J&K had secured a 41-run first-innings lead after Rest of India were dismissed for 237. The hosts then posted 278 in their first innings, with Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad and Lone Nasir Muzaffar playing key roles.
J&K were struggling at 166 for eight before Paras Dogra scored 75, Abdul Samad contributed 57 and Lone Nasir Muzaffar made an attacking 64 to help the hosts take a first-innings lead.
However, the advantage could not be converted into a match-winning performance as J&K struggled during their second-innings chase.
For Rest of India, Mukesh Kumar claimed two wickets in J&K’s first innings and also made an impact with the ball during the hosts’ chase, while the visitors’ bowling unit maintained pressure throughout the innings.
The victory gave Rest of India a 167-run win and saw the Irani Cup conclude in Srinagar inside four days.
The encounter also marked the first time that the prestigious Irani Cup was hosted at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar.
Scorecard: Rest of India 237 & 319; J&K 278 & 111 (28.4 overs). Rest of India won by 167 runs. (JKNS)
