Hyderabad-UP match poised for interesting finish

After four days of much good cricket, the well contested Ranji Trophy quarterfinal between Hyderabad and Uttar Pradesh at Green Park in Kanpur is headed for a keen finish. Hyderabad, 71 runs behind on the first innings, did well to get 381 for five before declaring their second innings closed. Needing 311 runs for victory, UP were 38 for no loss by stumps. With a whole day's play left on Monday, UP require 273 more for a win. Of course if they choose not to go for the target and remain content with playing out time, they would still qualify for the penultimate round on the basis of their first innings lead.

The onus is on Hyderabad but given their display on Sunday, they will no doubt exert tremendous pressure on UP. Led by VVS Laxman, who stroked his way to a splendid unbeaten 177, Hyderabad scored 309 runs off 85.4 overs during the day. Resuming at 72 for one, Nandakishore and Laxman took the score to 209 before the former was leg before to Gyanendra Pandey for 93. The in form opening batsman faced 206 balls and hit eleven of them to the ropes. The second wicket partnership added 180 runs off 54 overs. Vanka Pratap did not last long and was leg before to Zaidi for 10. But Vinay Kumar helped Laxman to add 109 runs for the fourth wicket off just 18 overs. Vinay Kumar's 48 was scored off 68 balls with five fours. Venkatpathi Raju finally closed the innings when Laxman was unbeaten on 177. He batted 377 minutes, faced 241 balls and hit 16 fours besides three sixes.

Raju applied pressure on M Saif and Jyoti Yadav but the openers came through successfully after 21 overs of batting. Saif was on 16 and Yadav on 18.