Bhat, Patil script a thrilling win

AHMEDABAD, October 22: Indian spinners Raghuram Bhat and SandeeP Patil spun out Pakistan for 148 to clinch an exciting 8-run victory in the Third Zandu Balm Independence Cup Veterans Cricket Tournament at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera here on Wednesday. The win also helped India gain an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

India put into bat after Zaheer Abbas won the toss managed to put up a modest 156 thanks to a fine effort of 54 by Man of the Match, Ashok Malhotra and Yashpal Sharma who made a gallant 36. The duo were also involved in a 77-run stand for the sixth wicket that saw India attain a fighting total of 156.

Chasing the target, Pakistan lost the early wicket of Zaheer Abbas 0 following a surprise move by Indian skipper Mohinder Amarnath, who brought spinner Raghuram Bhat in the very second over. But Sajid Ali 39 and Rizwan-ul Zaman 30 steadied the innings with a 78-run stand for the second wicket.

However, Indian spinners Bhat and Sandeep Patil swung the game India8217;s way with their telling blows. Brief Scores: India 156 in 39.2 overs A Malhotra 54, Y Sharma 36; N Anjum 2-13, R Khan 3-24 bt Pakistan 148 in 39.2 overs S Ali 39, R Zaman 30; Bhat 3-25, S Patil 2-14 by eight runs.