Kerala produced a doughty batting effort to hold on to a draw in opposition to Jammu and Kashmir, and progressed to the Ranji Trophy semifinals on the again of a slender 1-run first innings lead right here on Wednesday. Participant of the match Salman Nizar (44 not out, 162 balls, 8×4) and Mohammed Azharuddeen (67 not out, 118b, 9×4 2×6) noticed off almost 43 overs throughout their unbroken 115-run alliance for the seventh wicket as Kerala made 295 for six of their second innings. Their partnership was sufficient for Kerala, in a single day 100 for 2, to see off the ultimate day’s proceedings, and arrange a semi-final assembly with former champions Gujarat from February 17.
It will solely be Kerala’s second look within the Ranji Trophy final 4 spherical after the 2018-19 season. That they had misplaced to eventual champions Vidarbha by an innings and 11 runs at Wayanad final time.
“We believed in ourselves and took it (partnership) by means of the blocks of 10 runs every. J&Okay bowlers had been additionally made our process robust. It was an identical method we had adopted within the first innings,” mentioned Nizar throughout the presentation ceremony.
The left-handed batter had additionally made a significant unbeaten 112 in Kerala’s first innings and stitched an 81-run alliance with Basil Thampi to offer Kerala a vital 1-run lead.
“We tried our greatest, however sadly we couldn’t go all the way in which on this match. Credit score to Kerala batters. However we’re happy with the way in which fought until right here, and hopefully, we are able to obtain extra,” mentioned J&Okay skipper Paras Dogra after the match.
Jammu and Kashmir left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq additionally acquired an on-the-spot warning by on-field umpires for chucking.
The supply was deemed as a no-ball. Kerala also needs to thank skipper Sachin Child (48) and Akshay Chandran (48) for including 58 runs for the third wicket stand however, extra importantly, they’d additionally consumed almost 44 overs to ward of J&Okay bowlers.
Transient scores: Jammu & Kashmir: 280 and 399/9 declared drew with Kerala: 281 and 295/6 in 126 overs (Salman Nizar 44 not out, Mohammed Azharuddeen 67 not out, Sachin Child 48, Akshay Chandran 48; Sahil Lotra 2/50).