BCB XI raises semifinal hope after beating KSCA Secretary’s XI
Collected
|| CF Correspondent ||
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) XI raised the hope sealing the semifinal spot after moving into the top position of Group B in the Dr. (capt) K. Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament, known as Mini Ranji Trophy.
The possibility gained the momentum after they sealed a crushing 10-wicket win over Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary’s XI inside three days in their last group match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
The victory helped them to storm into the top of the Group B with 11 points while the nearest rivals are Vidarbha Cricket Association, who has so far eight points in two matches. Vidarbha is currently playing their match against Dr. DY Patil Cricket Academy in which they had already conceded first innings lead.
The champion from the each four groups will move into the semifinal of the tournament.
KSCA however fared well in its second innings, thanks to Abhinav Manohar who smashed 117 runs. Vinay Sagor scored 59 and Praveen Dubey made 55.
Resuming the day on 100-3, KSCA were finally bowled out for 340, with pacer Ebadat Hossain taking 3-84. But as they had already conceded a 255 runs lead in the first inning, Bangladesh was set just 86-run target to win the game.
Shadman Islam followed his 59 in the first innings with an unbeaten 52 while Jahurul Islam made 32 not out as Bangladesh reached the winning mark in just 24.1 overs.
It was their first victory after settling for draw against Vidarbha and DY Patil Cricket Academy in the first two matches.
Pacer Shohidul claimed 5-20 as Bangladesh bundled KSCA out for 79 runs in the first innings to take an early advantage. The batsmen then batted out the local side from the game, piling up 334 before being all out in first innings.
After taking 255 runs lead, the win was a matter of time indeed.
