NEW DELHI: Auqib Nabi delivered a spell for the ages as Jammu & Kashmir produced a commanding performance to knock out former champions Madhya Pradesh by 56 runs and book their place in the Ranji Trophy semifinals for the first time since their maiden appearance 67 years ago in Indore on Monday.
Defending a target of 291 on the penultimate day, Jammu & Kashmir rode on Auqib's relentless pace bowling to bowl out Madhya Pradesh for 234, capitalising on the hosts' earlier batting lapses. The victory propels J&K into the last four, where they will face the winner of the quarterfinal between Andhra and Bengal. The other semifinal will see Uttarakhand take on Karnataka.
The 29-year-old Auqib was the undisputed match-winner, following up his sensational first-innings figures of 7 for 40 with another incisive spell of 5 for 70 in the second innings. His match haul of 12 wickets for 110 runs proved decisive in dismantling Madhya Pradesh's batting lineup.
Madhya Pradesh resumed the day in deep trouble at 84 for 5, and Auqib wasted little time in tightening the noose. He removed Ramveer Gurjar early before ending Saransh Jain's valiant resistance. Jain fought hard with a well-made 64 off 81 balls, briefly keeping the contest alive, but once he fell, the remaining wickets followed swiftly.
Auqib's sustained hostility and hunger for wickets ensured there would be no late escape, as Jammu & Kashmir sealed a famous win to continue their impressive run in the tournament.
Tailender Aryan Pandey's 22 was the last wicket to fall, but Madhya Pradesh's collapse had already begun earlier in the day, with India player Venkatesh Iyer becoming the first to go at 104, just 20 runs added to their overnight total of 84 for 5.
Sensing victory, J&K pressed on, but veteran MP all-rounder Saransh Jain kept the fight alive, stitching together valuable partnerships with Shubham Sharma (32) and Ramveer Gurjar (11) before eventually falling to Auqib, having struck seven boundaries and a six.
Left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq was another key wicket-taker for J&K, claiming three wickets for 49 runs.
Brief scores:
Jammu & Kashmir: 194 and 248 all out in 70.3 overs. Madhya Pradesh 152 and 234 all out in 68.3 overs (Shubham Sharma 32, Saransh Jain 64; Auqib Nabi 5/70, Abid Mushtaq 3/49).
(With PTI Inputs)
