Nirmohi shines with ball, helps city to garner 3 points

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 30

A fine bowling performance by Shreshth Nirmohi helped city lads to garner three points on the basis of the first innings lead against Pondicherry on the last day of Ranji Trophy Plate Group match at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium, today.

After two days of wait, the match was resumed post lunch today. Chasing Chandigarh’s total of 134 runs, Pondicherry had scored 37/4 before the rain halted the match further for two days. On the last day, Pondicherry lads were bowled out for 113 runs.

Resuming from 37/4, M Vinkesh and Fabid Ahmed added 16 runs to their partnership before Nirmohi came into attack. The right-arm medium pacer accounted for Vinkesh (5) and Ahmed (0). Nirmohi did not stop here as he claimed Vinay Kumar (12) and Pondicherry’s main batsman PK Dogra (49 off 58 balls, with six boundaries and one six). Jagjit Singh Sandhu did rest of the damage as he claimed Sagar Trivedi (8) and Sagar Udeshi (8) to bowled out Pondicherry for 113 runs in 29.2 overs. Nirmohi claimed 7/46 to remain the best wicket taker for Chandigarh and Sandhu took 3/65.

In reply, Chandigarh lads extended their first innings total to 21 runs lead to 122 runs by scoring 102/3 in 22 overs at the drawn of the stumps. Opener Shivam Bhambri (2) was the first to go after falling prey to former Indian pacer Vinay. Arslan Khan and Manan Vohra thereafter raised an 87-run for the second wicket to take the total to 94 runs. Rohit broke the partnership after trapping Khan for lbw. Khan posted 38 off 59 balls, with six boundaries. Vohra (52 off 55 balls, with 10 boundaries) was the third man out after falling to Rohit. Raman Bishnoi (5) and playing his 100th first class match Uday Kaul (1) remain unbeaten to ensure three points for Chandigarh.