KOLKATA: Much will depend on Mohammed Shami as the Bengal and Madhya Pradesh Elite Group ‘C’ Ranji Trophy match is set for a thrilling finish. Chasing 338 for victory, the hosts are placed well at 150 for three at stumps on the penultimate day of the match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Friday.
Shami, who picked up one wicket later on in the day, actually made MP’s job a bit difficult with his bat in the morning. The pacer, who came in to bat when Bengal were 219/8, used his long handle well to stitch together a 39-run last-wicket stand with his brother Mohammed Kaif to take Bengal’s second innings total to 276.
After a brief 18-run ninth-wicket stand with SS Jaiswal, Shami decided to break free. He hit two fours and lifted Kartikeya Singh and Kulwant Khejroliya for a six each over the long-on before being dismissed for 37 that came off just 36 deliveries.
It was good to see him coming back to bowl 11 overs in the next two sessions of play. Shami’s comeback has already excited cricket watchers. Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla was happy to see how Shami took up the challenge.
Mohammed Shami returns, India get boost ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy | BTB Highlights