West and North Zone qualified for the semi-finals of the Duleep Trophy after taking a first innings lead versus North East Zone and East Zone respectively.
While West took a massive 367-run lead over North East Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and opted for batting practice on the fourth and final day on Sunday, North rode on a brilliant ton by debutant Yash Dhull (193) to take East Zone’s total. overhauled. ,
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Ajinkya RahaneAt the end of the match, West Zone scored 268 runs for five wickets. Ath Sheth remained unbeaten on 102 (101 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) and Shams Mulani fell on 97 (115 balls, 12 fours) as the match ended in a draw.
The North East bowlers did much better in the second innings and bowled out their opponent for three for 49 and 65 for 4 before Mulani and Sheth came together for a 179-run partnership.
Medium pacer Dippu Sangma (3 for 70) kept the West Indies batsmen under control by dismissing Het Patel (7), Rahul Tripathi (24) and Hardik Tamor (24).
In Puducherry, North resumed the night at 433 for three, adding 112 runs before being bowled out for 545. Himanshu Rana scored 81 and captain Mandeep Singh scored 63 runs for a patient.
North Zone looked set for a huge total but hard-hitting left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed took five wickets to restrict Mandeep Singh & Co.
Shahbaz Ahmed’s scalps included Mandeep, Himanshu Rana and Nishant Sindhu. He ended a 131-run stand between Mandeep and Himanshu Rana, which helped East stop North’s charge.
Earlier, youngster Yash Dhull played a scintillating innings of 193 runs in 234 balls to put North Zone in a comfortable position.
(Inputs PTI)