Ranji Trophy: Hosts J&K take on Odisha today

After registering a thumping 130-run win in its last match against Haryana, J&K are all set to take on Odisha on home turf of GGM Science College ground Jammu from Saturday.

The J&K team looks upbeat after a thrilling match against Haryana on pace-friendly track of Lahli. In the match, J&K pacers led by Irfan Pathan, Umar Nazir and Mohammad Mudhasir shined and helped team to register a big win.

   

Going by the points table, it will be battle between equals as both teams have 13 points, but with better run rate, J&K stand at seventh place and Odisha on eight. So far, both teams have got similar journey in the tournament having registered two wins and suffered three defeats and both have one draw in their share as well.e

J&K would like to take full advantage of its home conditions. In the last match played in Jammu, J&K were defeated by Uttar Pradesh despite have earned first inning lead. Parvez-led side this time would like to rectify those mistakes and earn an outright win against Odisha.  

In the match against Haryana, J&K went with three changes bringing in Owais Shah, Pranav Gupta and Aditya Pratap. On pace friendly wicket while batsmen of both sides failed, Owais Shah starred with brilliant attacking knock of 71 runs in second inning, scoring 37 ball fifty – only player from both sides to score a fifty.

In bowling, Umar Nazir starred with eight wickets including a five-wicket haul in first inning. Irfan pathan who was not been able to bag full wickets in any inning took five wicket haul in second inning to rattle Haryana top order. Mohammad Mudhasir as usual was consistent taking five in the match including four in first inning. Obaid Haroon who played in wicket keeper Fazil made valuable contributions with bat in both innings.

Overall, team looks well set and they shouldn’t face too many difficulties in batting and bowling in their own conditions on Saturday against Odisha. However, Odisha has been playing aggressive cricket in the whole season and they don’t care for results. In each match they have been trying to go for the win and have also been able to notch two wins. Taking them lightly would a mistake for J&K that they can’t afford.

“Team is confident after a big win in the last match against Haryana. It is not like that we were outplayed in the matches that we have lost. But to finish the job with a positive result is the thing that we need to do repeatedly. We are hopeful that in this match we will be able to that and register win on our home soil,” said team official.

“The middle order was am issue for a while. However, Both Owais and Obaid did well in Lahli and that has made team strong. We hope they continue to perform in similar fashion in the coming matches as well,” official added.

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