Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir was just 14 runs short of scripting history. The huge crowd gathered at GGM Science College ground was cheering for every run. However, all of a sudden, everything changed. The Parvez Rasool’s men, despite looking favourites to grab the first innings lead, did what they are known for.
They were 192-7 with Abdul Samad, tournament’s highest run-scorer for them, looking set at the crease alongside all-rounder Auqib Nabi. 6 balls later, the dream to enter semi-finals of Ranji Trophy for the first time ever shattered. The J&K innings folded on same score of 192, falling short of 13 runs to match Karnataka’s total.
Then in the second innings, it was all about Karnataka driving the ship. They looked unmoved in spite of J&K bowlers bending their back at home track. Later, with the ball, the host batting line-up had no reply whatsoever.
The major shortcoming for J&K was batting collapse in both the innings. The hosts started well in the first innings, however, on early morning of day-four things fell apart. Middle and lower-order disappointed. Skipper Parvez Rasool failed miserably in both the innings. He played ordinary shots, leaving home fans anguished.
Umar Nazir, the highest wicket-getter for erstwhile state in the event, couldn’t scalp a wicket in both the outings. Pertinently, Abdul Samad gave away his wicket by trying to hit every delivery out of the ground, when only thing required from him was to stay still at the crease.
Fazil Rashid, not showing resistance behind the stumps and failing with the bat, was another factor for J&K to end up on losing side.