Bengaluru: Abid Mushtaq’s splendid five-wicket haul sparked a dramatic collapse as West Zone were bowled out for 187, handing North Zone a crucial 64-run first-innings lead. West Zone, however, fought back strongly with the ball in the second innings, claiming four wickets for 107 runs. Despite the spirited fightback, North Zone remained firmly in control, ending Day 2, Monday, August 24, with a commanding 171-run lead in the Duleep Trophy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru.
In the second quarter-final, the game took a rapid turn as both zones showcased disciplined and clinical bowling. West Zone resumed at 31/2 on Day 2 but suffered a dramatic collapse in the middle and lower order as Abid Mushtaq produced a devastating spell, claiming five wickets. West Zone was eventually bowled out for 187 in 65.4 overs, handing North Zone a crucial 64-run first-innings lead. West Zone tried to recover from the damage with the ball and successfully took four wickets before the end of the day. However, North Zone still managed to score 107 runs before the stumps and extended their overall lead to a commanding 171 runs.
Resuming Day 2 at 31/2, West Zone began with the unbeaten Musheer Khan on 6 off 21 balls, alongside Shivalik Sharma. However, they soon suffered a massive collapse as Abid Mushtaq produced an impressive spell, dismantling West Zone’s middle and lower order. West Zone could add only 29 runs to their overnight total. The collapse began with Shivalik Sharma being trapped LBW by Abid Mushtaq after scoring 22 off 36 balls. Abid struck again soon after, removing captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for just 5 runs before dismissing Urvil Patel for a duck. West Zone slipped dramatically from 60/2 to 70/5, losing three crucial wickets in quick succession. Musheer Khan and Shams Mulani then steadied the innings, stitching together a crucial 63-run partnership off 191 balls for the sixth wicket. Shams Mulani went on to top-score for West Zone with a fighting knock of 52 off 94 balls, while Musheer Khan anchored the other end with a patient 31 off 126 deliveries. Although North Zone missed a couple of opportunities, Mulani survived a close LBW appeal and was later dropped at slip. West Zone reached the Lunch interval at 119/5, still 132 runs behind North Zone. After lunch, Arshdeep Singh provided the breakthrough, ending the crucial partnership by dismissing Musheer Khan for 31. Kamboj then struck soon after, trapping Shams Mulani LBW and bringing an end to his valuable half-century. Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande contributed 10 off 27 balls and 18 off 23 balls respectively, raising hopes of a late recovery for West Zone. However, North Zone continued to maintain the pressure and eventually bowled West Zone out for 187 in 65.4 overs. Abid Mushtaq led the North Zone bowling attack with an excellent five-wicket haul, finishing with impressive figures of 5/39 and a stunning economy rate of just 1.52. Arshdeep Singh also bowled effectively, claiming 3/53, while Kamboj chipped in with 2/38.
With a 64-run first-innings lead in hand, North Zone began their second innings but suffered an early setback as West Zone fought back strongly with the ball, removing both openers within the first five overs. Shams Mulani claimed both wickets, with Yash Dhull dismissed for a duck, while Qamran Iqbal was removed for 16 off 15 balls after striking a few boundaries. Tanush Kotian then trapped Ayush Doseja LBW, leaving North Zone in trouble at 41/3. However, Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad responded with composure, stitching together a crucial partnership to steady the innings and regain control. Their stand was eventually broken when Tanush Kotian dismissed Samad for a valuable 30 off 34 balls. Badoni remained unbeaten on a composed 39 off 49 balls, while Kanhaiya Wadhawan was unbeaten on 8 off 5 balls as North Zone steadied themselves through the remaining overs before the stumps. North Zone finished Day 2 on 107/4, extending their overall lead to a commanding 171 runs. They ended the day firmly in control, while West Zone face an uphill battle and will need quick wickets on the following morning to stay alive in the contest.
