Manoj Tiwary century props up East Zone

An unbeaten century by Manoj Tiwary and a rapid-fire fifty from Laxmi Shukla led East Zone to a total of 278 on the first day of their quarterfinal against West Zone. Asked to bat first at the Bansi Lal Stadium in Lahli, one of Indian cricket's most seamer-friendly venues, East Zone were bowled out in 75 overs, with Dhawal Kulkarni picking up three wickets. In reply, West Zone were 10 for no loss at close of play.

East Zone lost Rameez Nemat in the third over of the morning, before Natraj Behera and Sudip Chatterjee steadied their innings with a second-wicket stand of 54 in 24 overs. Both fell to the offspinner Yusuf Pathan in the space of 35 balls, and East quickly lost Saurabh Tiwary and Wriddhiman Saha as well.

Having come together at 116 for 5, Manoj, the East Zone captain, and Shukla went after the bowling, and added 69 runs in just 50 balls. Shukla dominated the partnership, scoring 54 off 31 balls, before the allrounder Shrikant Mundhe had him lbw.

Manoj combined with the lower order to extend East Zone score by a further 93 runs, the bulk of them coming in a 63-run partnership with Rana Dutta for the eighth wicket. When East Zone lost their final wicket, Manoj was left unbeaten on 100, having faced 140 balls and struck four fours and six sixes. He had been dropped at 72 by Yusuf at cover, off the bowling of the left-arm spinner Akshay Darekar.