Vadodara 84 runs away from victory against Haryana

Vadodara, Dec 27 (UNI) The Vadodara-Haryana Super League Ranji Trophy Group 'A' match is heading for a nail-biting finish as the hosts were 84 runs away from victory with five second innings wickets in hand at close of play on the third day 3 at the Motibaug Palace ground here today.

Resuming at the overnight score of 89 for 2, Haryana today set a target of 213 for Vadodara after their second innings was folded up at 210 barely ten minutes after lunch.

Chasing the target under pressure, the hosts which had conceded a slender 2-run first innings lead to their opponents, crashed to 129 for 5 at stumps after a brilliant 74-run opening stand between Connor Williams (33, 5x4) and Satyajit Parab (35, 6x4). Skipper Jacob Marin on 29 and Ajit Bhoite (0) were on the crease.

However, It was leggie Amit Mishra who again helped Haryana fight their way back into the game claiming four of the five Vadodara wickets which fell in a span of 44 runs. Amit, who enabled his side take a 2-run first innings lead over Vadodara by snaring five wickets for 33 runs, today claimed four for 45 runs in his 20 overs, while Gaurav Vashisht bagged one conceding 41 runs.

The visitors would have been in a very precarious situation had not skipper Joginder Sharma (54, 65b,4x4, 3x6) and Amit Mishra (26, 4x4) played with confidence to put on 63 valuable runs in their eighth wicket partnership.

Vadodara medium pacer Rakesh Patel wrecked Haryana batting line up soon after the visitors resumed at overnight score of 89 for 2. Being unable to withstand the pace and spin attack, Haryana lost four quick wickets in a span of 17 runs to be reduced to 106 for 6. Besides Sharma and Mishra, Sachin Rana contributed 26 runs.

For Vadodara, Rakesh Patel was the most successful bowler claiming five for 54, his second five-wicket haul in the current season.

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