Captain Shahbaz Nadeem captured his second five-wicket haul of the season to leave Jharkhand on the verge of an innings victory over Tripura at the end of third and penultimate day's play in a Group C Ranji Trophy cricket match, here today.
Jharkhand, who were already at a commanding position on 296 for three when the day began, rode on Ishank Jaggi's (102 not out) maiden hundred of the season, and his 166-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Kumar Deobrat (63) to amass 394 for four in 113 overs before declaring their first innings.
Jaggi stroked 14 fours during his 153-ball unbeaten knock, while Deobrat's 63 featured 10 boundaries.
Coming out to bat in their second innings, Tripura needed to post at least 228 to make Jharkhand bat again, but just like their first innings, the hosts failed to forge any partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals to reel at 132 for nine in 49 overs at stumps.
With Tripura reduced to 110 for nine, Jharkhand had three overs to take the last wicket and wrap up the win inside three days, but the final pair of Tushar Saha and Abhijit Sarkar held firm, forcing the match into the final day.
Manisankar Murasingh top-scored for Tripura with a 69-ball 52.
Brief Scores:
Tripura: 166 & 132 for nine in 49 overs (Manisankar Murasingh 52; Shahbaz Nadeem 6/35).
Jharkhand: 394 for four decl in 113 overs (Ishank Jaggi 102 not out, Saurabh Tiwary 94, Anand Singh 91; Manisankar Murasingh 2/89).
