The classy unbeaten 99 by Rajat Paliwal has put Haryana in strong position on the first day of the Group-C Ranji trophy match against J&K at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on Sunday.
At the end of first day’s play, Haryana were in strong position after posting 295 runs for the loss of five wickets. Paliwal was unbeaten on 99 while as RP Sharma got out on last ball of the day after scoring 51.
Earlier, J&K won the toss and decided to field first. The decision seemed to work instantly as J&K snapped two Haryana wickets for the score of only 53 and went on to get third for the score of 92. Parvez Rasool picked first two wickets while as Rohit Sharma got third.
It was at that point J&K lost the script allowing opening batsman NR Saini and Paliwal went on to form a solid partnership between them. The duo formed 94-run stand between them taking Haryana total to 186, when Saini got out. The Haryana’s stalwart Sani’s vigil of 90 runs from 188 deliveries came to halt after getting out to Amir Aziz. His inning included 16 boundaries.
Paliwal in the middle was then joined by RP Sharma. They formed a strong stand of 109 runs between them. RP Sharma got out on last ball of the day, trapped LBW by Parvez Rasool. He scored 51 from 98 deliveries.
In the 90 overs of play, Haryana were strong on 295 for the loss of only five wickets. The inform batsman Paliwal was unbeaten on 99 runs. His inning so far has been package of both aggression and solid defence in which he took 177 deliveries. He scored 12 boundaries in the process. His stay at the crease is big morale boosting factor for Haryana as they would hope that he will continue in same manner on Monday. There first target would be to cross 400 run mark with Paliwal being main contributor to achieve target. J&K on the other hand would pin their hopes on Parvez Rasool to wrap up inning quickly on second morning. For J&K so far he has been the main wicket taker picking three in 20 overs giving away 43 runs in the process. Amir Aziz and Rohit Sharma picked one each.
