Saurashtra, IOCL, Madhya Pradesh enter semis

Hyderabad, Sep 12 (UNI) Saurashtra and IOCL entered semifinals of the All India Moin-Ud-Dowla Gold Cup cricket tournament here today.

While Madhya Pradesh already qualified for the semifinals, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will fight for the fourth slot in an ODI tomorrow.

In reply to IOCL's first innings toal of 169, BSNL were shot out for a paltry 148 in just 52.1 overs. Shavangh Sharma (57, 8x4, 1x6) was the highest scorer. Left arm spinner Rajesh Powar was the pick of the IOCL's bowlers with four wickets giving 46 runs. IOCL entered semifinals on last day of the three day quarter final match by virtue of 21 runs first innings lead.

Rain halted Bengal's progress as they were chasing the required target of 240 runs in 40 overs. Play stopped with heavy down pour, when Bengal reached 191 losing three wickets in 30.3 overs. With further play was not possible, Saurashtra declared winner by virtue of first innings lead of 84 runs.

Bengal in its second innings was threatening with good run rate, with Rana Choudhary making 50 in 48 balls (4 X 3, 6 X 2) while A Majumdar scored 46 in 43 balls (4 X 2). But their chase was abruptly ended with rains.

Saurashtra earlier made 180 losing eight wickets in 40 allotted overs.

Brief Scores: Saurashtra first innings 292 all out, Bengal first innings 208 all out, Saurashtra second innings 180 for eight in 40 overs and Bengal second innings 191 for three in 30.4 overs.

IOCL first innings 169 all out BSNL first innings 148 all out in 51.2 overs.

UNI