Goa gains 25-run first inning lead over Haryana

Margao, Nov 5 (UNI) Hosts Goa gained a slender 25-run first innings lead over Haryana after skittling them out for 246 on the penultimate day of their four-day Ranji Trophy Plate 'B' cricket tie at the MCC ground here today.

In the second innings, Haryana's leg spinner Amit Mishra bowled with lot of fire to restrict Goa to 221 all out in 63.3 overs. He was ably assisted by medium pacer Joginder Sharma and Sanjay Bhudwar, who claimed two wickets each.

Haryana, needing 247 runs for an outright win, were six for one in three overs in their second inning at close of play today with Mithun Birala (2) and Gaurav Vashita (4) at the crease. Shadab Jakati claimed one wicket giving away five runs.

Goa made a disastrous start in their second inning. Their Top order batsmen failed to negotiate the pace and spin attack of the visitors and Goa began losing wickets at regular intervals. The first five wickets fell with the score at 133.

Barring Ajay Ratra, who had a scintillating knock of 86 runs, which was studded with 12 hits to the fence in 117 balls, opening batsman Sagun Kamat who scored a valuable 60 that was laced with eight fours in 92 balls, and Manoj Joglekar who scored 36, no other batsman made any significant contribution. Goa was all out in 66.3 overs for a total of 221.

Earlier in the first innings, Haryana, resuming at an overnight score of 205 for seven, managed to add another 41 runs before being all out on 246 in 97.2 overs, Haryana lost the last three wickets Sandeep Singh (36), Gaurav Vashita (21) and Sanjay Bhudhwar (2), while Priyank Huda remained not out on 2. Left arm spinner Sadhab Jakati was the most successful bowler for the hosts, claiming six wickets for 52 runs.

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