Jabbar helps Goa delay Andhra's victory surge

Hosts Goa lived to fight another day in their South Zone Ranji Trophy encounter against Andhra at Margao on Saturday. After Andhra declared at their overnight 514/5, presumably satisfied by a handsome lead of 351, the hosts progressed to 249/5 before stumps were drawn. The pick of the batsmen was Goa import Tanveer Jabbar who made 94 before being run out in the final session of the day.

Goa were in troubled waters at lunch, going into the break at 87/3. The top three in the batting order, Messrs. Rane, Kolankar and Amonkar, all fell in their twenties, failing to push for a big score after getting their eye in. Jabbar and Sagun Kamat gave Goa some solace, batting through the post-lunch session. Their 110 run stand was finally broken when Kamat gave off spinner YS Ranganath his third wicket of the innings.

Jabbar found another dependable partner in Anant Bhagwat, the pair adding 51 before the former fell just 15 balls before the curtain was brought down. His 94 had come off 174 balls and included 11 boundaries. Bhagwat who made a brisk unbeaten 41, negotiated Goa through to close of play in the company of skipper Pravin Amre on whom much will depend if the hosts are to provide any semblance of resistance on Sunday.