Off-spinner Kamlesh Makwana's returned a six-wicket haul as Saurashtra bundled out Services for a paltry 72 runs on the opening day and took vital 102 runs first innings lead by scoring 176 for nine, here today.
As many as 19 wickets fell on the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium at Khandheri after Services captain Soumik Chatterjee won the toss and decided to bat first.
Medium pacer Abhishek Bhatt produced the first breakthrough trapping Chatterjee (3) in front of wicket and then spin duo of Makwana-Jadeja ran through the weak Services batting line up sharing 9 wickets between them.
Only Pratik Desai (17 runs, 33b, 3X4) and Shadab Nazar (19 runs, 17b, 3X4) could reach the double digit as visitors inning lasted for only 21.4 overs in 101 minutes.
Kamlesh Makwana picked up six wickets conceding only 17 runs off his 6.4 overs, while Dharmendra Jadeja finished with 3 for 31.
In reply, Saurashtra, too, lost nine wickets making 176 runs for a 102-run lead so far.
Chirag Pathak (43) and Sagar Jogiyani (41) gave a steady start to the host adding 80 runs for the opening wicket, but once the pair got separated, none of the batsmen except Sheldon Jackson (52) could stay on the turning track that started helping spinners on the very first day.
Jackson, the top scorer of the day made 52 runs, facing 122 balls studded with one fours and two sixes.
Yashpal Singh was the most successful bowler taking career best five wickets giving away 41 runs while Rajat Paliwal took three wickets conceding 21 runs.
Brief scores:
Services 72 (Shadab Naar 19, Pratik Desai 17, Kamlesh Makawana 6-17, Dharmendra Jadeja 3-21)
Saurashtra 176 for 9 (Sheldon Jackson 52, Chirag Pathak 43, Sagar Jogiyani 41, Yashpal Singh 5-41, Rajat Paliwal 3-21).
