Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Uttar Pradesh end Day 2 on 169/2; Trail Railways by 206 runs

Ghaziabad: Uttar Pradesh openers managed a century-plus stand to help the hosts put up a fighting 169 for two against Railways on Day Two of the Group B Ranji Trophy 2015-16 on Friday. Responding to Railways’ 375 in the first innings, the Praveen Kumar-led Uttar Pradesh were bolstered by a 145-run opening partnership between Tanmay Srivastava (75 not out) and Almas Shaukat (76), but the hosts still trail by 206 runs. The Uttar Pradesh bowlers also made it count to restrict Railways to the current score after the visitors started the day on 316 for five. Praveen, Ankit Rajput and Piyush Chawla picked up 2 wickets each after Kuldeep Yadav had struck thrice yesterday. Full updates:  Uttar Pradesh vs Railways, Ranji Trophy 2015-16, Group B match, Day 2 at Ghaziabad

Sharing the new ball with Praveen, debutant Israr Azim also chipped in with a wicket. For Railways, after batsman Ashish Singh’s ton on the opening day Arindam Ghosh scored a fifty while medium-pacer Ranjit Mali struck twice to make it count. But it remains a long battle for the hosts, who are banking on their middle-order to cross the mountain of runs posted by Railways.

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Uttar Pradesh unfortunately lost a couple of quick wickets in the last 10 overs or so of the day’s play. They will now hope that they can get a first innings lead when play begins on Day Three, which will be a crucial day for both teams.

Brief Scores:

Railways 375 (Ashish Singh 101, Faiz Ahmed 74; Kuldeep Yadav 3-64) lead Uttar Pradesh 169 for 2 (Tanmay Srivastava 75 not out, Almas Shaukat 75; Ranjit Mali 2 for 61) by 206 runs.