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Shahbaz's late surge inspires Bengal fightback; Anustup out on 99
28th January 2020
Shahbaz Ahamad struck late with the ball to reduce Delhi to 192/6 and help Bengal end the second day with 126-run lead in Ranji Trophy Elite Group A encounter at Eden Gardens today.
Earlier resuming the second day on 286/5 Anustup Majumder ran himself out on 99 to miss out on a well-deserved century in the second over of the day and that initiated a lower order collapse.
Bengal coach Arun Lal said: "There's possibility of outright. For now we look better but you can't predict anything in cricket. We need to bowl well tomorrow."
"If Anustup could've stayed more on the wicket we would've been in better position now," Lal added.
Shahbaz's masterful innings also came to end trying to clear the distance off Simarjeet Singh as Hiten Dalal caught him on 46 and Delhi wrapped things up quickly to bundle the hosts for 318.
Simarjeet was the highest wicket taker among visitors with 4 for 77.
While defending debutant Nilkantha Das drew the first blood to remove Kunal Chandela quickly and reduce Delhi to 19/1.
Skipper Dhruv Shorey came to the rescue and played a patient knock while adding 68 and 60 runs on the board with Nitish Rana and Hiten Dalal.
Nilkantha got rid off Hiten (40) to break the partnership while Mukesh Kumar bagged Dhruv (64) and Rana (24).
After Dhruv's wicket for almost 15 overs Bengal bowlers couldn't do much on a wicket that started to favour the batters till Shahbaz rolled fingers to bowl the last over of the day.
The Bengal all-rounder once again proved why he's highly praised by Bengal coach by getting rid off Kshitiz Sharma and Simarjeet with back-to-back deliveries.
Getting a wicket off his first ball tomorrow will get the young all-rounder his second hat-trick this season while the hosts will surely aim to wrap things up quickly and take first innings lead.
CAB MEDIA DESK
Rio Dutta
