Uttar Pradesh bat their way to semifinals

Uttar Pradesh were propelled into the semifinals of the Vijay Merchant Trophy (under-16) tournament by a brutal batting display by Tahir Abbas and Rahat Ilahi in the knock-out match against Bengal at Narendrapur, near Kolkata on Monday. Resuming at the overnight score of 197/3, UP batted on for the whole of the last day. Needing just 11 more runs to grab the all important first innings lead when they resumed, UP ended up at 597/4 at close of the match in 155 overs.

The day belonged to Abbas and Ilahi who were associated in a fourth wicket partnership that produced 396 runs. Abbas got himself run out, the only way a dismissal looked possible on a day when Bengal bowlers could never make a breakthrough as the two batsmen went on a run riot. Abbas made an entertaining 246 runs off 381 balls. He was at the crease for eight hours and 46 minutes smashing 24 boundaries. Ilahi batted on through the day to remain unbeaten on 212. Ilahi was the more aggressive of the two as he enjoyed the run feast, hitting a six and 23 fours in his 281-ball innings. Ilahi was at the crease for five hours and 45 minutes making the Bengal bowling look listless. Alok Singh who came in at the fall of Abbas remained unbeaten on 1 as the match came to an end. UP will meet Punjab in the three day semifinal to be played at Kolkata from January 9.