Ranji Trophy: Mohammed Shami Shines With 4-wicket Haul In 2nd Innings As Bengal Thrash Uttarakhand By 8 Wickets

Bengal vs Uttarakhand Scorecard, Ranji Trophy: Pacer Mohammed Shami produced a fiery spell of fast bowling, grabbing four wickets to pave the way for Bengal's emphatic eight-wicket victory over Uttarakhand in their Ranji Trophy Group C clash at the iconic Eden Gardens on Saturday.

Resuming the final day at 165 for two with skipper Kunal Chandela batting on 68 and Bhupen Lalwani on 12, Uttarakhand lost the plot once Shami got into his rhythm. The out-of-favour India pacer exploited the morning conditions superbly to return figures of 4 for 38 from 24.4 overs, while Akash Deep and Ishan Porel bagged two wickets apiece as the visitors were bundled out for 265.

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Shami first trapped Chandela leg-before for 72 to open the floodgates, before returning to dismiss Abhay Negi, Janmejay Joshi and Rajan Kumar in a fiery post-lunch burst.

From a steady 173 for 2, Uttarakhand lost their last eight wickets for just 92 runs to be bowled out for 265. Prashant Chopra (82) and Chandela were the only batters to show resistance, adding some respectability to Uttarakhand's total before the innings folded up in the 97th over.

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Chasing 156 for victory, Bengal cruised home in just 29.3 overs, with skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran leading from the front with a fluent 71 not out off 82 balls. He hit six shots to the fence, remaining in control of his innings and the home team's chase.

Sudip Kumar Gharami made a brisk 46 with five fours and a six, while Vishal Bhati finished unbeaten on 16 to complete the formalities. With this win, Bengal pocketed six points to strengthen their position in the group standings.

Services win while Assam manage draw

Meanwhile, Services recorded a comprehensive innings and 20-run win over Tripura in Delhi after bowling out the rivals for a mere 163 in their second innings while following on.

Arjun Sharma returned a fifer in the Services win. In Ahmedabad, hosts Gujarat played out a draw with Assam, who started the day at a precarious 28 for three and ended the match at 192 for six. Mukhtar Hussain (44), Sumit Ghdigaonkar (37), number nine Sibasankar Roy (39 not out) and number 10 Swarupam Purkayastha (44 not out) salvaged the draw.

Gurarat took three points on the basis of a first-innings lead, while Assam took home one point.