Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 25 (ANI): East Zone produced a dominant performance to defeat North East Zone by an innings and 210 runs in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Shahbaz Ahmed's career-best 167 and Sudip Kumar Gharami's 146 powered East Zone to a massive first-innings total of 467 before Anukul Roy and Abhijit Sarkar claimed five-wicket hauls to bowl North East Zone out twice.
North East Zone had made a promising start on the opening morning, reducing East Zone to 25 for two and later 128 for five. However, Shahbaz and Gharami's centuries turned the game firmly in East Zone's favour.
In reply, North East Zone slipped from 78 for three to 111 all out, with medium-pacer Sarkar returning figures of 5/20. Shahbaz also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets for 20 runs.
Asked to follow on, North East Zone again struggled with the bat. Mukesh Kumar removed first-innings top-scorer Arpit Bhatewara early on the third morning, while Mohammed Shami kept the batters under pressure with movement in overcast conditions.
Shahbaz then dismissed Joseph Lalthankhuma after a brief partnership, while captain Rongsen Jonathan was caught behind by Ishan Kishan. Kangabam Priyojit was dismissed by Anukul Roy, who produced an impressive spell with his wicket-to-wicket bowling and subtle changes in pace.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also made an impact, claiming two wickets in an over with his left-arm orthodox spin. He first dismissed Kishan Lyngdoh before Imliwati Lemtur edged one through to wicketkeeper Kishan.
Akash Chaudhary and Pheiroijam Jotin delayed the inevitable with a 39-run partnership for the ninth wicket, but Roy completed his five-wicket haul to seal East Zone's emphatic victory.
Roy bowled Choudhary and then dismissed Jotin, with Kishan completing a leg-side stumping as East Zone wrapped up the match shortly after lunch.
East Zone will now face defending champions Central Zone in the semi-final, beginning August 30. (ANI)
Duleep Trophy: East Zone thrash North East Zone by innings and 210 runs to enter semis
