Asif Iqbal
Srinagar, Nov 6 (GNS): After receiving a drubbing in its first two matches, Jammu and Kashmir team came back strongly to register their first win in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – being played in Vadodara Gujarat.
Backing the decision of their skipper Shubham Pundhir, who after winning the toss decided to bowl first, the Jammu and Kashmir bowlers were sensational in their execution and eventually got the results in their favour. Umran Malik, Parvez Rasool and Mujtaba Yousaf kept taking wickets at regular intervals to restrict the opponents Haryana at just 108. The trio shared nine wickets among them with Umran taking 4, Parvez 3 and Mujtaba 2 – nonetheless with an evenly better economical rate of less than six an over.
The Jammu and Kashmir opening batting duo comprising Ian Dev Singh and Vivrant Sharma negotiated the Haryana bowling attack led by skipper Harshal Patel – who earned ‘Purple Cap’ after taking 32 wickets in recently concluded IPL – to provide an opening stand of 36 to the team. However both the batters were cleaned up by Jayant Yadav. Henan Nazir also fell cheaply to Rahul Tewatia.
After failing to leave a mark in the last two matches, Skipper Shubham Pundhir ably supported by former Skipper Parvez Rasool steadied the innings with the scorecard reading 56-3. The experienced batting duo ensured that no other wicket falls till they reach the target, with they scoring 28 and 34 respectively.
Jammu and Kashmir, placed in Elite Group C, is scheduled to play its next match against Himachal Pradesh on November 8. (GNS)
