*J&K need 83 runs with 8 wickets
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: Jammu and Kashmir cricket team moved tantalizingly close to a maiden Ranji Trophy final after Auqib Nabi delivered a sensational all-round performance, taking nine wickets and scoring a counter-attacking 42 from No 9, helping bowl out Bengal for just 99 on Day 3 at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground, Kalyani today.
Even a career-best 8/90 from Mohammed Shami could not prevent Bengal’s dramatic collapse in just 25.1 overs. Resuming the day at 198/5, J&K posted 302, with Abdul Samad scoring 82 and skipper Paras Dogra contributing 58. Nabi’s 42, alongside Yudhvir Singh’s 33, forged a crucial 64-run ninth-wicket partnership that shifted the momentum decisively, narrowing the deficit to 30 runs and keeping J&K firmly in control.
In Bengal’s second innings, Nabi struck early, trapping Sudip Chatterjee LBW for a first-ball duck. Sunil Kumar removed first-innings centurion Sudip Kumar Gharami for a three-ball duck, while Nabi accounted for skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (5) and Habib Gandhi, finishing with figures of 4/36. Yudhvir Singh contributed two wickets as the three-pronged pace attack shared all 10 scalps, bundling Bengal out for 99.
Chasing a modest 126, J&K reached 43/2 at stumps, needing 83 more with eight wickets in hand. Shubham Pundir remained unbeaten on 23 off 37 balls, while rookie Vanshaj Sharma held firm on nine off 25 balls. Shubham Khajuria (1) and Yawer Hasan (6) were the only wickets to fall.
Nabi’s heroics have taken his season tally to 55 wickets from 16 innings at an average under 13 and with history within touching distance, J&K now hold all the cards to secure their first-ever Ranji Trophy final berth, leaving Bengal facing an uphill task to salvage their title hopes.
Brief scores:
Bengal 328 and 99; 25.1 overs (Shahbaz Ahmed 24; Auqib Nabi 4/36, Sunil Kumar 4/27). J&K 302; 76.1 overs (Abdul Samad 82, Paras Dogra 58, Nabi 42, Yudhvir Singh 33; Mohammed Shami 8/90) and 43/2; 13 overs.
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