Tahir leads the way as Central crush South by an innings

Central Zone crushed South by an innings and 147 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (Under-16) tournament quarterfinal match at the Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodayar Sports Centre in Bangalore on Friday. Central Zone now take on East Zone in the semifinals from February 4 to 6 at Bangalore.

The reality was that South Zone were well and truly beaten by an inspired Central Zone team in all departments of the game be it batting or bowling. If the day was dominated by their skipper Tahir Abbas' (212 not out) willow, Central Zone's new ball bowler Devendra Singh (5 for 40) was not to be left far behind as he demolished South Zone for the second time in the match to pick up match figures of 9 for 111.

Resuming at 284 for 4, Tahir Abbas and Rahar Ilahi (84) took the score along to 316, when the latter was sent back to the pavilion, caught by Nalin Reddy off I Varun. The partnership between Tahir and Ilahi extended to 142 runs for the fourth wicket. During a 141 minute stay at the center, Ilahi needed just 99 balls to score his runs, which came by mainly in the form of 19 boundaries. The dismissal of Ilahi brought Gaurav Tikkas (105) to the crease. But Tahir was not finished yet and in the company of Tikkas he tormented the South attack for a further 45.1 overs, plundering a 189 run stand.

Tahir's innings was studded with 29 boundaries in all while requiring 374 balls during his near eight hour long stay at the crease. Gaurav Tikkas gave ample company for his captain but more important was the fact that he scored his runs at will. He needed only 67 balls to reach his fifty and a further 62 balls to bring up his century. After batting for close to two sessions on the final day the Central Zone skipper declared the innings at the fall of Tikkas. After a 165 minute stay at the middle Tikkas offered a return catch to Nalin Reddy in the 131st over of the innings.

Set to score 226 runs for a win, South Zone never looked in the race. The first innings tormentor came back to bundle out South Zone for a paltry 79 in 27.2 overs. Vivek Yadav set the ball rolling for Central Zone when he got rid of Prasanth Peter (6) in the fourth over of the innings. Then Devendra Singh got into the act and before long South Zone were tottering at 49 for 6 at the end of the 17th over. Thereafter it was only a matter of time for Central Zone to ensure a well deserved win. Praveen Gupta (2 for 6) and Avinash Yadav (1 for 11) shared the other wickets.