January 28: Central zone extended their domination in the under-16 Vijay Hazare Trophy cricket league with an emphatic 78-run victory over East Zone at the Parsee Gymkhana, here, today.The Central spinners Yogendra Panchal (3-28) and Vishal Pandey (2-32) backed up by equally good fielding that resulted in four run outs was instrumental in East falling short of Central's 221 by a big margin. Opener Fardin Khan (31) and tailender Hrishikesh Bagari (24) were the only ones to offer any resistance as the wickets fell around them.
Earlier, batting first, Central were propped up by a 73-run third wicket association between Amit Deshpande (35: 61b, 93m, 4x4) and Parminder Singh (48: 88b, 110m, 3x4). The two had joined hands after the early loss of openers Arun Sharma (7) and Vishnu Joshi (0) -- the latter being dismissed by medium-pacer Mrigen Talukdar off the fourth delivery of the innings.
However, a middle-order collapse ensued after Deshpande and Singh departed in quick succession. It was then left toAhsan Ali (33) and Shalabh Shrivastava (16), who steadied the innings with a 51-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
East Zone fielders displayed their mettle affecting five run outs while Talukdar and leg-spinner Baljit Singh captured two wickets apiece.NORTH WIN: North Zone opened their campaign with an emphatic eight-wicket win over South in the other league match at the Wankhede Stadium.
Skipper Yuvraj Singh and opener Dhruv Mohan shared the honours with a 95-run stand that formed the basis of North's victory. While the left-handed Yuvraj remained unbeaten on 81 (86b, 98m, 8x4), Mohan compiled a sedate 71 (109b, 123m, 9x4) that saw North overhaul the 190-run victory target in the 42nd over.
Earlier South Zone were restricted to 189 for 8 after electing to bat. Skipper Venugopal Rao held the innings together remaining unbeaten on a patient 62 (121b, 149m, 3x4) while opener Vikram Kumar (37: 46b, 82m, 5x4) and Vijay Sai Suri (33) came up with useful contributions.
Medium-pacer Harikrishan Kalli(3-25) and left-arm spinner Yuvraj Singh (1-25) curbed the opposition with a nagging line.
The second round of the league phase gets under way on Friday after a day's rest tomorrow.
Brief Scores
Central Zone 221 in 50 overs (Amit Deshpande 35, Parminder Singh 48, Ahsan Ali 33; Mrigen Talukdar 2-48, Baljit Singh 2-48) bt East Zone 143 in 45.3 overs (Fardin Khan 31, Hrishikesh Bangari 24; Yogendra Panchal 3-28, Vishal Pandey 2-32) by 78 runs
South Zone 189-8 in 50 overs (Vikram Kumar 37, Venugopal Rao 62 n.o., Vijay Sai Suri 33; Harikrishan 3-25) lost to North Zone 191-2 in 41.1 overs (Dhruv Mohan 71; Yuvraj Singh 81 n.o.) by eight wickets.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
