Ranji Trophy semifinal | Dogra and Samad’s knocks reviveJammu & Kashmir against Bengal

Jammu & Kashmir's Dogra and Samad shine in Ranji Trophy semifinal, battling back against Bengal with impressive partnerships.

Carrying the thrill of a tug-of-war contest, the Ranji Trophy semifinal match at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground here remained nicely balanced on the second day as Jammu & Kashmir relied on Abdul Samad and captain Paras Dogra’s commendable half-centuries to put up a strong fight against Bengal on Monday.

Resuming from 249 for five, Bengal was all out for 328 in its first innings.

In reply, J & K recovered from 13 for three to close at 198 for five to trail by 130 runs.

J & K pace ace Auqib Nabi’s relentlessness and execution of skills earned him three more wickets and his 15th five-for. He scalped overnight centurion Sudip Gharami, who shouldered arms to be adjudged lbw, after J & K took the second new ball and went on to claim Akash Deep and Mohammed Shami.

Sumanta Gupta played some cracking shots to push Bengal past 300.

J & K had a disastrous start as Shami ran in hard, found good areas and worked up pace to secure lbw decisions against openers Shubham Khajuria and Yawer Hassan.