Murtza steers UP into final

Chandigarh, Dec 9 (UNI) A brilliant unbeaten 177 by Ali Murtza helped Uttar Pradesh enter the final of the All India knock-out (Under 22) Cricket Tournament on the basis of their slender one-run first-innings lead against Hyderabad here today.

Resuming at their overnight score of 84 for two, Uttar Pradesh made 313 for seven in 100.1 overs at the final draw of stumps. Ali Murtza flayed the Hyderabad bowlers to remain not out on 177. Vipin Kumar contributed 56 runs.

Amol Shinde claimed four wicket for 55 runs in his 29-over spell while MP Arjun got 2 wickets for 83 runs in his spell of 21 overs.

earlier, Hyderabad had made 312 all out in their first innings.

Brief scores: Hyderabad (Ist Innings): 312 all out in 149.2 overs (Abhinav Kumar 36, PS Niranjan 71, Aamiulla Khan 59, MP Arjun 44, K.K. Upadhya 3 for 89, Avinash Yadav 3 for 89, Ali Murtza 3 for 42).

Uttar Pradesh (Ist Innings): 313 for 7 in 100.1 overs (Vipin Kumar 56, Ali Murtza 177 not out, MP Arjun 2 for 83, Amol Shinde 4 for 66).

UNI XC DP PM RN1918