North Zone sets daunting target of 677 runs for East Zone

Rajkot, Feb 13 (UNI) Unbeaten double centuries from Aakash Chopra (205) and Mithun Manhas (205) put North Zone on the driver's seat, setting a daunting 677 for a win by East on the penultimate day of the four day Duleep Trophy match here today.

After North declared their innings at 459 for two in their second innings, East in reply made 28 for one at close. Captain S S Das and Arindam Das were batting with 18 and two runs respectively.

Wriddhiman Saha who was remained not out on 56 in first essay, got early exit in second innings as he was bowled by medium pacer Rajat Bhatia after scoring only two.

Earlier, North declared their innings after Akash Chopra and Captain Mithun Manhas notched up unbeaten double centuries as East Zone bowlers failed to grab a single wicket today. The duo added 368 runs for the unbeaten third wicket.

It was Akash Chopra's second double century as earlier he had made against South Africa A, last year, in Delhi where he had made unbeaten 239.

Akash Chopra double ton included twenty boundaries and came from 301 balls. Captain M Manhas's knock was studded with twenty six fours and two mighty six.

Seam bowler V R V Singh who was most successful bowler for the North Zone in first essay as he took 5 for 59, did not turn up for the fielding as he was suffering from fever and body pain.

BRIEF SCORE : North Zone Ist Innings 360 East Zone Ist Innings 143 North Zone 2nd Innings 459 for two declared in 103.5 overs ( A Chopra not out 205, M Manhas not out 205) East Zone 2nd Innings 28 for one in 12 overs ( S S Das batting 18, A Das batting 2 Rajat Bhatia one for 2).

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