Ranji: Skipper's knock takes MP to victory

Indore, Dec 28 (UNI) Aided by skipper S Abbas Ali's scintillating captain's knock of an unbeaten 102 runs, Madhya Pradesh today pipped Goa by 3 wickets in an exciting Ranji Trophy Plate Group A encounter at the Usha Raje Cricket Ground here.

The hosts' 261/7 wickets earned them 2 points in their fifth and final league match.

Resuming at an overnight score of 69/1, Madhya Pradesh chased a target of 259 on the fourth and last day but lost 4 wickets by the time the scoreboard read 101.

At that juncture Ali came to the crease and played a magnificent innings that packed in a six and the cherry went hurtling to the ropes no less than 15 times. He added 48 runs for the fifth wicket in partnership with Devendra Bundela.

S A Ali contributed 73 in a 6th wicket partnership with Murtaza Ali (13) and 22 with Nikhil Ojha (1) for the 7th wicket. Finally, the skipper played an unbeaten partnership of 17 with pacer S Pandey (6). While Amit Paul scored 37, no other batsman contributed significantly.

Robin D'Souza and Anil Naik claimed 2 wickets each while one each was taken by Anup Kolambkar and Sahil Dhuri.

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