Md Kaif stars with bat as Bengal take 128-run first innings lead in Ranji Trophy


13th January 2024
After having bowled a magical spell (4-14) the other day, Mohammad Kaif stepped up once again, now with the bat, by scoring a fighting unbeaten 45 off 79 balls as Bengal took a vital 128-run first innings lead against Uttar Pradesh on Day 2 in the second Elite Group B match at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Saturday.
After bowling out UP for just 60, Bengal managed to post 188 in their first innings, thanks to top-scorer Kaif.
For UP, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was superb bagging 8 for 41.
While UP, in their second innings, were 46 for no loss at stumps on the second day, still trailing by 82 runs.
Earlier, resuming the day from overnight score of 95/5, Bengal lost three wickets for 15 runs in the morning.
But tailenders Kaif and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal (20) added much-needed 52 runs for the 9th wicket to take Bengal to a fighting score.
Kaif in his fine knock smashed four boundaries and two sixes.
After the dismissal of Suraj, Kaif partnered with Ishan Porel (10) added another vital 26 runs for the final wicket to take the hosts to a respectable total.

CAB MEDIA DESK
Arindam Basu