Karn, Nadeem wreck New Zealand A

Vijaywada, September 25 

Leg-spinner Karn Sharma and left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem shared eight wickets among themselves as India A cantered to an innings and 31-run victory against New Zealand A in the first unofficial ‘Test’.

New Zealand’s inability to play spin again came to the fore as they were dismissed for 142 in their second innings after being bundled out for 147 in their first essay. India scored 320 runs in their first innings. 

In the second innings, Karn took four for 62 while Nadeem scalped four for 51. Pacer Shardul Thakur took two wickets. 

The Railways leg-spinner had a match haul of eight for 120 while Nadeem had slightly better figures of eight for 79. 

The Kiwis started their day at 64/2 but were bundled out in 63.1 overs. Openers George Worker (35) and Jeet Raval (21) were the only two batsmen who had individual scores of 20-plus in the second innings.

None of the New Zealand batsmen could score a half-century in the two innings. The next ‘Test’ will be played at the same venue from September 30 to October 3.

Brief Scores: New Zealand A: 147 and 142 (George Worker 35; Karn Sharma 4/62, Shahbaz Nadeem 4/51); India: A: 320. — PTI