Raza Ali's heroics in vain

A fighting unbeaten 90 by S Raza Ali went in vain as Railways lost to Uttar Pradesh by 17 runs in the Central Zone Ranji Trophy one day match at the Karnail Singh stadium in New Delhi on Friday.

Batting first, UP after losing Jyoti Yadav (5) at 23, recovered with the other opener Nazir Ali (57) and M Kaif (77) adding 74 runs for the second wicket off 17 overs. Nazir Ali was then out after facing 67 balls and hitting eight fours. Kaif and R Shamshad (26) maintained the momentum with a third wicket partnership of 54 runs off 12 overs. The innings received further impetus when Kaif and skipper GK Pandey added 84 runs for the fourth wicket off just 10.5 overs. Kaif, who was run out, faced 113 balls and hit four of them to the ropes. Finally Pandey and M Saif (14) slapped on 49 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket off just 4.5 overs as UP closed at an imposing 284 for four in 50 overs. Pandey faced only 59 balls for his breezy unbeaten 86. He hit eight fours and five sixes.

Railways were off to a bad start but to their credit they never gave up and went down by a narrow margin. They lost half the side for 128 despite a fine knock by opener Amit Pagnis who hit 46 off 49 balls with six hits to the fence. Raza Ali and S Sahu (36) initiated a recovery process by figuring in a sixth wicket stand of 66 runs off 16 overs. The tail tried their best to stay with Raza Ali but their efforts were not enough. Ultimately Raza Ali was left high and dry as Railways were all out for 267 in 48.4 overs. Raza Ali faced 94 balls and hit three fours and a six. Kaif (3 for 50) and Dorai (3 for 48) did the most to restrict Railways.