Jammu and Kashmir’s left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq produced a match-winning performance, claiming nine wickets as North Zone defeated West Zone by 52 runs in the second quarterfinal of the Duleep Trophy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru.
Mushtaq finished with match figures of 9 for 99, including 5 for 39 in the first innings and 4 for 60 in the second, to play a decisive role in North Zone’s hard-fought victory and help his side to book their place in semifinal.
Mushtaq struck early on Wednesday, bowling Tanush Kotian in the second over of the day before returning to dismiss Tushar Deshpande. Nishant Sindhu then trapped Urvil Patel LBW to seal the 52-run victory.
Reacting to North Zone’s victory and the performances of the J&K players, JKCA CEO Brigadier Anil Gupta said the result would provide confidence and a platform for the players to perform at higher levels.
“This win will give confidence and a platform for our players to perform at the highest levels. North Zone will make it to the final, as per my assessment,” Gupta said.
“The fact that J&K is a major contributor to this team only strengthens our belief that J&K cricket is on the rise and our players are being recognised at the national level,” he said.
Gupta said it was now up to the players to make the most of the opportunity.
“It is up to them to perform and grab the attention of the national selectors as well as the cricket fraternity across the country,” he added.
The win came after West Zone’s middle order had mounted a strong fightback. A 111-run partnership between Musheer Khan, who scored 96, and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made 66, had taken West Zone to 211 for 4 and raised hopes of a successful chase.
However, the dismissal of Gaikwad and Musheer triggered a dramatic collapse, with West Zone losing their remaining wickets in quick succession.
Earlier, Mushtaq had given North Zone a crucial first-innings advantage with a five-wicket haul. He dismissed Prithvi Shaw early and went on to return figures of 5 for 39 as West Zone were bowled out for 187.
North Zone had earlier posted 251 in their first innings, with Anshul Kamboj scoring 60, Ayush Badoni making 51 and Ayush Doseja contributing 42.
In the second innings, Badoni scored another half-century while Sindhu made 44 and J&K’s Abdul Samad contributed 30. North Zone were bowled out for 222.
Apart from Mushtaq and Samad, J&K players Qamran Iqbal and Sunil Kumar were also part of the North Zone playing XI.
The strong representation of J&K players in the North Zone squad follows the team’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph, after which six J&K players were selected for the Duleep Trophy. Kanhaiya Wadhawan, J&K batter and wicketkeeper was also named captain of the North Zone side.
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