Nadkarni, Sarabjit bolster Services

Fine knocks from Amit Nadkarni and Sarabjit Singh lifted Services to 264/8 on the first day of their latest Ranji Trophy North Zone league tie against Himachal Pradesh at the Palam Ground in Delhi on Sunday. Both teams came into the match after losing their opening encounters last week.

Hosts Services won the toss but began disastrously as both openers Narender Singh and Harish Bhaskar fell for ducks. Nadkarni and Sarabjit joined hands when the third wicket fell at 39 and were only separated after adding 138. Nadkarni fell for 84 (183 balls, 12 fours) and twelve runs later Himachal saw the back of Sarabjit for 79 (153 balls, 7 fours).

An unbeaten 30 from JP Pandey propped up the lower order as Services finished the 90th over at 264/8. Jaswant Rai was the most successful bowler with 3/53 while Rahul Panta and Amit Sharma snapped up two wickets apiece.