Srinagar, Dec 10: Parvez Rasool and Manik Gupta bagged five wickets each to help JK script second successive win in this year's Ranji season defeating Kerala on the third day of the four-day Ranji trophy tournament match at Perintalmanna Cricket Stadium, Malappuram on Monday.
 Needing 203 runs to win the match, hosts Kerala were bundled out for 129 runs in their second inning thus lost match by 74 runs. For JK Parvez Rasool and Manik Gupta starred with the bowl taking five wickets each.
 For Kerala only openers, AM Hegde, Jagadeesh could cross 20 run mark scoring 22 and 24 respectively. Rest of the line-up fell cheaply thus giving visitors JK an easy victory. From the match JK got six points while hosts Kerala earned none.
 Earlier starting the day’s play on 63 runs for the loss of three wickets, JK got bundled out for 151 runs. But with first inning lead of 52 runs under their belt JK set defendable target for 203 runs for the hosts to achieve. For JK skipper Ian Dev Singh top scored with 37 while as O. Haroon contributed with 32.
 In its first inning JK had scored 215 runs with the help skipper Ian Dev Singh’s unbeaten 117 runs. In reply Kerala could manage only 163 runs.
 With this JK has got two wins out five played while it has lost two and drew one. It is also second successive win for the team. In the match for JK Parvez Rasool continued his dream run by bagging eight wickets in match. Though he failed a little with bat but he made it clear that his bowling wins match for the State.
 Pertinently JK is playing without its senior stars like, Abid Nabi, Samiullah Beigh, Majid Dar and others after the Kashmir province had boycotted the play. Though juniors rejoined team but seniors continued strike. They later agreed to join team after striking peace deal with J&K Cricket Association but Samiullah and Majid were asked to return back by JKCA on the orders of its President Dr Farooq.
 Meanwhile cricketing fraternity of the State has hailed the win and has lauded the youngsters for rising to the occasion in absence of seniors.
 “It is great win and that too second consecutive one. I am pleased with the effort of youngsters. They deserve applause and have given us glimpses of future,” JK team assistant coach Abdul Qayoom Bagaw.
 “Team is playing like a close unit and are going well along with each other. After earning two away victories confidence has also got boost,” headed.
 JKCA Treasurer, Manbzoor Wazir said that by winning this crucial match team has shown everyone that it can put the ugly incidents behind.
 “We have gone through very ugly phase recently that involved selection row between association and players. However, the team despite odds have managed to win two c consecutive matches.” he said.

JK climbs to 5th place
By winning its second consecutive Ranji trophy tournament of group-c match against Kerala, J&K has managed to climb upto fifth place in its group that includes nine teams.
With two wins under its kitty now, JK is on fifth place in the Group-C points table with 13 points. Out of five matches played so far, JK has won two, lost two and drew one. The top spot in the group is held by Jharkhand with 17 points while bottom place is held by Kerala with four points.
If JK continues its superb form in the remaining three matches, they are likely to qualify from their group. Team will play its next match against Services on December 18.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST