Haryana hold on to share points

The high scoring Delhi-Haryana North Zone under-14 league match ended in a draw at the Ferozeshah Kotla grounds in New Delhi yesterday. But Delhi just missed getting first innings points as Haryana's last wicket pair held on for the last 6.1 overs. Ultimately, the teams shared two points each. Replying to Delhi's first innings total of 502 for five declared, Haryana were 315 for nine when the match ended.

Resuming on the final day at 125 for four, Haryana just about managed to bat the whole day. Opener Kailash Nath was out for 60 after batting almost six hours. He faced 302 balls and hit seven fours. He and Deepak Saini added 109 runs for the fifth wicket off 54.5 overs. Deepak Saini then found an able partner in Nitin Mahtani and the two added 56 runs for the sixth wicket off 20.4 overs. Saini was out at this stage for 104. He batted 291 minutes, faced 222 balls and hit 14 boundaries. With Abhishek (18), Mahtani added 40 runs for the ninth wicket off 27.4 overs. Finally last man Rahul Saini held on for 26 minutes and faced 19 balls without opening his account. But 17 invaluable runs were added with Mahtani and Haryana held on to gain equal points. Mahtani remained unbeaten with 81. He faced 254 balls and hit eight fours. Rakshit Pant had sent down 44 overs and finished with four for 58.