Sharma spins J&K into command with 6-wicket haul

Srinagar, Aug 19: Left-arm spinner Vanshaj Sharma produced a sensational spell of 6/50 to leave Indian Railways reeling at 221/8 in reply to Jammu & Kashmir’s 393/5 after they declared their first innings at the overnight score, inviting Railways to bat on the second day of the All India Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament.

The day began with the JKCA cricket team resuming from their overnight dominance, built on the back of centuries by Qamran Iqbal and Musaif Aijaz on the opening day. Qamran had led from the front with a patient 138 studded with 8 fours and 6 sixes, while Musaif played fluently, but with control, for his 114, the pair adding a mammoth 216-run stand for the second wicket. Later flourishes from Abdul Samad (37 off 29), Abid Mushtaq (37 off 18), and skipper Paras Dogra (30* off 30) had propelled J&K to a commanding declaration.

Indian Railways, trailing by 172 runs, never recovered from early jolts as Vanshaj ran through the railways batting line-up with his guile and control. He dismissed Kush Marathe, Navneet Virk, Vivek Singh, Ashish Singh, Zubair Ali Khan and Akash Pandey, ensuring J&K maintained its stranglehold.

Railways’ top order struggled against the disciplined attack. Ashish Singh (76 off 139) fought hard, striking 7 fours and 2 sixes, but lacked support at the other end. Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Mor showed resilience with a fighting unbeaten 58 off 122 deliveries, adding an unbroken 36-run stand with Himanshu Sangwan (17*) to push Railways past 200.

For J&K, apart from Vanshaj’s heroics, Abid Mushtaq and Sunil Kumar chipped in with a wicket each.

With Indian Railways still 172 runs behind and just two wickets in hand, Jammu & Kashmir stand firmly on top, eyeing a significant first-innings lead to dictate terms in the contest.