Services take control against Andhra

Anantapur: Shadab Nazar`s unbeaten half century down the order and some impressive bowling by Services helped them take control of their Group C Ranji Trophy match against Andhra here on Sunday.

After putting up 297 on the board in their first innings, Services had Andhra stuttering at 87 for six, a deficit of 210 runs. Yadav struck 56 off 72 balls and hit seven fours and a six. Rajat Paliwal had hit 72 yesterday, the match`s best score so far. Suraj Yadav took two wickets and there was one apiece for Nazar and Muzzaffaruddin Khalid at the Rural Development Trust stadium. At stumps on the third day, opener Hemal Watekar was batting on 30 and Syed Sahabuddin was giving him company on three. For Services, T Atchuta Rao and D Shivkumar returned with three wickets each, and Sahabuddin picked up two. Brief scores: Services: 297 all out in 119 overs (Rajat Paliwal 72, Shadab Nazar not out 56, Muzzaffaruddin Khalid 43; D Shikumar 3/53, T Atchuta Rao 3/73, Syed Sahabuddin 2/70). Andhra: 87 for six in 43 overs (Hemal Watekar 30 not out; Suraj Yadav 2/21). PTI