Ranji Trophy: Nadeem fiver restricts Haryana

Vadodara, Dec 23 (IANS) Jharkhand spinner Shahbaz Nadeem claimed a five-wicket haul as Haryana posted 251/7 in their first innings on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final at the Moti Bagh Stadium here on Friday.

Nadeem removed the Haryana top order to return figures of 5/75.

Medium-pacer Anand Singh (1/38) and leg-spinner Samar Quadri (1/61) claimed a wicket each.

Sanjay Pahal (38 batting) and Harshal Patel (22 batting) were at the crease at the crease at stumps.

Electing to bat on winning the toss, Haryana captain Mohit Sharma saw his decision backfire as his team lost openers Nitin Saini (22) and Shubham Rohilla (18) cheaply.

Shivam Chauhan (23) also did not last long, becoming Nadeem's third victim as Haryana struggled at 71/3.

Chaitanya Bishnoi (41) and Rajat Paliwal (42) then produced an 83-run partnership as they attempted to bring the Haryana innings back on track.

Nadeem, however, removed both batsmen in consecutive overs to swing the momentum back in Jharkhand's favour.

Rohit Sharma and Amit Mishra also fell cheaply before Pahal and Patel came up with an unbroken stand of 56 runs.

Brief scores:

Haryana (First Innings): 251/7 (Chaitanya Bishnoi 41, Rajat Paliwal 42; Shahbaz Nadeem 5/75) vs Jharkhand.

--IANS

ajb/vt