MUMBAI, Feb 3: Mohammad Azharuddin XI defeated Arjuna Ranatunga XI by two wickets with 4 balls to spare in the Abid Ali Benefit match here tonight. The home team, set a target of 261 to win by the visitors, faltered after a superb start before recovering to score 261 for 8 in 49.2 overs. Sachin Tendulkar (50 in 50 balls with 1 six and 7 fours) and Saurav Ganguly (64 in 65 balls, 1x6 and 6x4) gave Azhar XI a flying start of 92 in 13 overs.After Tendulkar's exit, Ganguly and captain Azharuddin (86 not out, 86 balls, 6x4 and 1x6) added 72 runs in 11.1 overs for the second wicket to continue the momentum. Azhar and Javagal Srinath (not out 14) put on 54 runs for the unbroken ninth wicket to help India win.Earlier, Ranatunga XI were towered to 260 for 8 through the efforts of opener Sanath Jayasurya (54)and Ranatunga (62 in 77 balls)Brief scores: Ranatunga XI 260-8 (S Jayasurya 54, R Mahanama 34, A Ranatunga 62, K Dharmasena 39, C Vaas 30; Robin Singh 2-53, Anil Kumble 2- 38, VVS Laxman 2-48) lost toAzharurddin XI 261-8 (S Tendulkar 50, S Ganguly 64, M Azharuddin not out 86; R Pushpakumara 3-57, D Anurasiri 3-24).
