MRF rout Airlines

The Airlines’ batsmen made no efforts to score at a fast pace and wipe out the imposing lead when play began 30 minutes behind schedule as overnight rain rendered the pitch and the outfield slightly soggy.

Left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar, bowling unchanged from one end, claimed Shafiq Khan (42, 36m, 48 balls, 1×6, 2×4’s) who was caught at deep midwicket by Zakir Hussain. Karnataka’s Fazal Khaleel (42, 61m, 58 balls, 4×4’s) also perished to Pawar by giving a catch to Sriram at point. Fazal and Shafiq realised 58 runs for the third wicket. Dodda Ganesh was bowled by Pawar for seven just when overs were running out for Airlines. M Chopra (25, 50m, 50 balls, 1×6, 2×4) and Subash Chander (0) remained unbeaten. MRF 503 bt Indian Airlines 308 & 174 for 5 in 40 overs (VVS Laxman 37, Khaleel 42, Shafiq Khan 42, Rajesh Pawar 3-40).