Rajasthan scored an eight run win over Uttar
Pradesh in their Central Zone Ranji OD encounter
and yet could not qualify for the Wills Trophy.
Tied at the top of the points table with Railways
on six points, the Rajasthan side lost out. This
was due to the fact that Railways beat Rajasthan
in their encounter earlier. On winning the toss,
Rajasthan led by National Cricket Academy ward
Nikhil Doru managed to get off to a good start.
Doru (53) forged a useful 119 run partnership with
AS Jain for the first wicket. Jain went on to make
a solid 88 (125 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) despite the
fact that none of the other Rajasthan batsmen made
decent scores.
In response, Uttar Pradesh fell short by eight
runs even as left arm spinner Anup Dave claimed
3/29. None of the batsmen could stand up to the
Rajasthan bowling other than Mohammed Kaif. Having
played with Dave in the Under-19 World Cup, Kaif
seemed to cope better than the others. The India
hopeful made 58. Rizwan Shamshad made 38, but UP
could manage only 219 before they were all out in
49.3 overs.