Srinagar: Kerala is on the verge of the first inning lead in the rain affected Ranji trophy match against J&K at Kalyani, West Bengal on Saturday.
Samiullah Beigh returned with a six-wicket haul but the J&K found itself on the backfoot as Kerala remained in the hunt for a first innings lead. In reply to Kerala’s 306 in the first innings, J&K were 106 for 5 in 29 overs, trailing by 200 runs on the third day when rain halted the proceedings at 12.59pm.
J&K responded in an aggressive fashion with Adil Reshi’s 40 from 38 balls (6×4). He along with Shubham Khajuria (12) put up 57 runs from 62 balls before left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla struck.
Abdullah finished day on 3/32, while another left-arm spinner K Monish took 2/6 from his four overs as the duo took regular wickets before rain played halted their march for a second successive day.
Only 34.5 overs could be possible on day three which was called off at 2.30 as the match headed for a draw.
Kerala resuming on 282 for seven were bundled out in 102.1 overs with Sanju Samson’s 154 being the highlight of the morning.
Brief Scores
1st Inning
Kerala: 306/10 (Samson 154; Beigh 6wk, Dayal 3wk).
J&K: 106/5 (Reshi 40, Abdulla 3wk, Monish 2wk)