RANJI TROPHY: J&K scripts history; in a first defeats Delhi by seven wickets

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 11 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir cricket team today scripted history by defeating Delhi team in Ranji Trophy by seven wickets here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. This is J&K’s first-ever win against Delhi.
J&K chose to bowl first after winning the toss, and Auqib Nabi tore through the Delhi batting line-up with figures of 5-35, supported by Vanshaj Sharma (2-57) and Abid Mushtaq (2-30), as the hosts were dismissed for 211 in their first innings.
J&K also lost their top order early, but skipper Paras Dogra’s 106 off 183 balls and Abdul Samad’s 85 off 115 balls, followed by Kanhaiya Wadhawan’s quick 47 off 81 balls, kept the momentum going, with the visitors folding at 310 all out, taking a 91-run lead.
Delhi then appeared to control the game at 267/5 in their second innings, with skipper Ayush Badoni scoring 72 off 73 and Ayush Doseja making 62 off 88. However, a dramatic collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for just 10 runs and set a 179-run target for the tourists.
Left-arm spinner Vanshaj was the architect of Delhi’s downfall, returning with his third five-wicket haul in just his fourth first-class match. His spell of 6-68 ensured J&K’s remarkable victory.
J&K finished Day 3 at 55/2, with Qamran Iqbal and Vanshaj resuming the chase on the final morning, as J&K needed 124 more runs to win. On Day 4, Iqbal’s unbeaten 133, his career-best innings, propelled J&K to its historic victory in their 43rd match against Delhi.
Remarkably, win against Delhi was their second outright victory of the season, advancing the team to second place in the Elite Group D points table, just behind leaders Mumbai.

Brief scores: Delhi 211 and 277 (Ayush Badoni 72, Ayush Doseja 62; Vanshaj Sharma 6-68); Jammu & Kashmir 310 and 179/3 (Qamran Iqbal 133 not out, Hritik Shokeen 2-52) Jammu and Kashmir won by seven wickets.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs from Agencies)