Railways dismiss IOC challenge by six wickets

Indian Railways comfortably beat Indian Oil Corporation by six wickets in a Group clash of the Moin ud Dowla Cup in Hyderabad on Friday. IOC could make only 136/9 and their opponents overhauled it with over 14 overs to spare, despite an inspired spell by Zaheer Khan who bagged 4/33. It was IOC's second loss in two games while Railways has a 1-1 record.

Openers Mithun Beerala (26) and Wasim Jaffer (16) added 45 for the first wicket for the oilmen before both left at the same score. The drama happened in the 15th over when Jaffer was run out and two balls later, Murali Kartik removed Beerala. After that the innings went steadily downhill and at the end of their 50 over quota, they settled for a paltry 136 with skipper Mandar Phadke's 27 being the top score. K Shreyas' 3/23 was the best bowling display among the Railways attack.

A hostile spell by Zaheer Khan, who grabbed four wickets in his first five overs, left Railways reeling at 56/5 and opening the possibility of an unlikely victory for IOC. But that miracle was firmly scotched by the sixth wicket pair of PS Rawat (48) and Sudhir Wankhede (22 not out) who added 73. The former fell just eight short of victory and the end duly came in the 36th over bowled by Amit Dani.