Baroda in commanding position on day 2

Lucknow, Dec 2 (UNI) Baroda took the advantage on the second day of the Elite group 'B' super league Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh by taking a vital 125 runs lead on the basis of the first innings, booking the hosts team at 209 runs.

The day's procedings were stopped due to poor light conditions, nine overs before the scheduled time. Boarda increased their overall lead by 141 runs with all their second innings wickets intact.

At the Akhilesh Das stadium here, Baroda's Pathan brothers showed their class and experience. The junior Pathan, who scored a half century the previous day, today claimed three wickets, while his elder brother Yousuf with his off spin attack claimed five wickets.

In the morning, Baroda started first innings at 318 for 9 and their last pair added 16 more runs after consuming 30 minutes.

Claiming the last wicket of Rajesh Pawar, Praveen Kumar increased his wickets tally to four.

Opening pair of UP, Praveen Kumar and Rohit Prakash though started well, but once the pair was separated by Sunit Singh, the hosts saw a mini collapse.

At lunch, they were 83 for the loss of three wickets, skipper Mohd Kaif, who celebrated his 27th birthday previous day, failed to open his account.

The other UP stars Suresh Raina scored a brilliant half century (55). Wicket keeper batsman Mohd Amir Khan (34) responded well according to situation by giving good support to Raina for the seventh wicket partnership of 86 runs.

Later, Raina lost passion on the bowling of Rajesh Pawar and lifted the ball towards extra cover where Irfan took a well judged catch.

Yousuf folded the innings on the second and third balls of his 22nd over removing Piyush Chawla and Sudeep Tyagi in successive deliveries. Chawla in his 22 runs innings struck five bounderies.

At the draw of the stumps for the second day, baroda's skipper Connor Williams (5) and Satyajit Parab (4) were at the crease.

MORE UNI