Visitors Odisha defeated hosts J&K by eight wickets in a thrilling final session finish of Ranji Trophy match at GGM science College ground Jammu on Tuesday.
It was on the back of a fighting knock of 158 runs by skipper Parvez Rasool that Odisha went on to achieve the target in last two sessions of play set by J&K. J&K set a target of 196 runs to win for Odisha in final two sessions of the play which the visitors achieved for the loss of only two wickets. And with this win, Odisha earned six points from the match.
It would not have been that easy for the visitors if not for the three dropped catches and some questionable umpiring decisions in the final inning of the match. J&K fielders dropped two catches in two overs off Irfan Pathan bowling with Odisha score less than 20 runs. Another catch drop was committed in the middle of the inning. Add to that there were some questionable decisions by umpires that should have gone in J&K’s favor.
Earlier final day’s play started with J&K resuming its second inning from overnight total of 272 for the loss of seven wickets. They went on to post a score of 391 runs on board and a target of 196 runs to win for Odisha. Skipper Parvez who was unbeaten on 125 got solid support in shape Amir Aziz. The duo had a stand of 112 runs for the eighth wicket.
Parvez Rasool was first wicket to fall during day scoring a brilliant 158 runs from 217 balls. During his knock, Parvez scored 18 boundaries and two sixes. Parvez fell with J&K score on 357 runs with eight wickets down and having a lead of 161 runs. After his fall, Amir and Mohammad Mudhasir added some valuable runs to the J&K total. Amir was 9th wicket to fall after scoring a brilliant 56 runs off 129 balls in which he hit five fours and one six. Mohammad Mudhasir did what he is best known for – do smacking ball out of the ground. He scored 31 from 31 balls including four sixes, before being the last wicket to fall. J&K inning folded for 391 runs and set a target of 196 runs for Odisha to win.
For a side like Odisha that try to go for win, the target was always going to be in sight. Though there was a chance that J&K may get early wicket to hamper their chase, it was full two sessions of play in which Odisha needed to chase the target.
Visiting side openers Shantanu Mishra and Anurag Sarangi made their intentions clear from the start of the chase. The duo scored 45 runs before Skipper Parvez Rasool gave J&K breakthrough by removing Sarangi. He scored 20 from 39 balls. In the middle Mishra was then joined by Subransu Senapati and they formed a stand of 112 runs for the second wicket to take game out the hands of J&K. Mishra was second wicket to fall with Mohammad Mudhasir giving J&K second wicket. He scored 78 runs from 127 balls which included nine boundaries.
Before getting out opener Mishra had assured that Odisha is in sight of a victory, getting out on the score of 159 runs. Senapati in middle joined by Govinda Poddar completed the formality as Odisha achieved target for the loss of two wickets in 49.1 overs. Govinda smashed 20 runs of only nine balls, smashing two fours and one six. Senapati remained unbeaten on 72 from 101 balls in which he smashed two fours and two sixes.
Earlier J&K in its first inning had got all out for 127 runs. Owais Shah was highest scorer with 44 runs while as 27 by Akaash Chowdhary was next best score. In reply Odisha scored 323 runs in first inning with the help a brilliant century scored by Abhhisekh Raut and 85 by Debasish Samantray. For J&K Irfan Pathan took four wickets while as Umar Nazir three. Parvez and Mudhasir took one each.
With this win Odisha has moved to fifth place on points table with 19 points while as J&K is at eighth place with 13 points.