Ranji Trophy Quarter-finals: J&K vs Punjab - Match hangs in balance after captain Parvez Rasool's ton

Parvez Rasool

Jammu and Kashmir skipper Parvez Rasool saved the day for his team as he notched up his fifth first-class ton on Day 2 of Ranji Trophy Quarter-finals against Punjab.

J&K started the day with overnight score of 11-1 and soon were in all sorts of trouble when they lost their two main batsmen, Bandeep Singh (4) and Ian Dev Singh (19) early in the day.

At 62-3, captain Rasool then joined opener Adil Rishi for an 81 run fourth wicket partnership which brought some stability to J&K’s innings before Rishi was adjudged LBW off Yuvraj Singh’s bowling on 65 which included nine fours and one six.

After Rishi’s departure, J&K lost two wickets in quick succession in shape of Majid Dar (3) and Hardeep Singh (9), leaving them on 168-6. Parvez made sure that J&K came as close as possible to Punjab’s 1st innings total of 304 and formed a much needed partnership of 86 runs for the seventh wicket with Samiullah Beigh (37) who has been scoring important runs down the order throughout this season.

Parvez Rasool scored remarkable and formidable 103 off 137 deliveries including 11 fours and one hit over the fence before medium fast bowler Sandeep Sharma went through his gate and had him bowled.

The tail did not wag as both Samiullah Beigh and Mudhasir Gujree (0) fell  to Sandeep Sharma in the same over, who went on to finish with the tally of four wickets reducing J&K to 265-9. Ram Dayal (18*) showed some resistance with the bat but J&K lost their last wicket as pacer Manpreet Singh Gony removed Umar Nazir Mir (1) and J&K were bundled out for 277 handing Punjab a 1st innings lead of 27 runs.

J&K seamers made early inroads in Punjab’s 2nd innings and sent both their openers back into the hutch with Umar Nazir Mir and Mudhasir Gujree picking one wicket each.

The match now hangs in balance as Punjab at stumps are 15-2 leading by 42 runs with 8 wickets in hand.

Brief score: Punjab 304 & 15/2. J&K 277 (Pervez Rasool 103, Adil Rishi 65, Samiullah Beigh 37, Sandeep Sharma 4/46).