Anoop Pai helps Hyderabad take the vital lead

A strokefilled 94 by Anoop Pai helped Hyderabad take the vital first innings lead over Rajasthan in their Vijay Merchant Trophy quarterfinal match at the Deshbandhu Park in Calcutta on Saturday. At stumps on the second day, Hyderabad were 290 for four in reply to Rajasthan's 254, compiled on Thursday.

Resuming at two for no loss, the Hyderabad openers Prasanth Peter (89) and Imran Khan (47) put on 70 runs in 29.1 overs. Imran was the first to be dismissed, caught by B Ranjan off S Godara. Hyderabad skipper AT Rayudu (7) did not last long and in the 32nd over was caught by Vivek Yadav off Naresh Bhati.

Anoop Pai then joined Prasanth Peter and the pair put their heads down to add 159 runs for the third wicket off 40 overs. Peter was the fourth batsman to be dismissed when he offered a catch to V Mathur off G Tanwar. During a 287-minute stay at the crease, Peter faced 213 balls and hit nine fours and three sixes.

Anoop then fell leg before to V Mathur with the score at 263, after helping Hyderabad cross the Rajasthan total. At stumps Abhinav Kumar (18) and Niranjan (14) were at the crease