Himachal Pradesh have the better of the exchanges

Fifteen wickets fell on the third day of the North Zone Ranji Trophy clash between Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, with the visitors emerging with the better of the exchanges. Resuming their first innings at 289/8, Himachal declared nine overs into the day at 316/9. J&K were then shot out for 176, marginally avoiding the follow-on by just ten runs. But they struck back swiftly, knocking over four Himachal wickets for 55 before the draw of stumps.

After Himachal skipper Rajiv Nayyar's declaration, J&K never really got going, losing their first five wickets for 69. Needing 167 to stave off the follow-on, the lower order manfully attempted to redress the balance and succeeded to the extent of lifting the score to 176 in 58.4 overs. Vijay Sharma topscored with 33 while for Himachal, Rajinder Thakur snapped up 3/65.

In the 86 minutes batting available, Himachal limped to 55/4. First innings centurion Nischal Gaur was removed by Qayoom for a tenth ball duck. Rahul Panta followed up his 46 not out in the first essay with another unbeaten effort of 31 as the visitors closed the day 195 runs in front with six wickets in hand.