By slow but methodical batting, Himachal Pradesh played themselves into aposition of strength at close of play in the North Zone Ranji Trophy leaguematch against Services at the Palam ground in New Delhi on Monday
Partab Ramchand06-Nov-2000By slow but methodical batting, Himachal Pradesh played themselves into aposition of strength at close of play in the North Zone Ranji Trophy leaguematch against Services at the Palam ground in New Delhi on Monday. In replyto Services’ 276, Himachal were 224 for two off 82 overs at stumps.Services, who resumed at 264 for eight, did not last very long in themorning. Then they had the encouragement of an early wicket when RahulPanta was bowled by MV Rao without opening his account in the third over.Thereafter Himachal slowly took command. First the other opener NischalGaur and skipper Rajeev Nayyar added 126 runs for the second wicket off 40overs before the former was out for 68. Gaur batted 193 minutes, faced 133balls and hit seven fours.Nayyar, who has a penchant for playing long innings and Amit Sharma thenconsolidated with an unbroken third wicket partnership of 96 runs off 38.5overs. At close, Nayyar had scored 84 after having batted about 5-1/2hours. He has so far played 242 balls and hit eleven fours. Amit Sharma wasbatting with 50 from 119 balls. He hit five fours.