MP on top in under-22 quarter final against Mumbai

Mumbai: Hosts Mumbai were bundled out for a paltry 109 by Madhya Pradesh who later replied strongly with 155 for three on the first day of the four-day C K Nayudu under 22 Trophy quarter final tie on Wednesday.

Electing to bat at the Brabourne Stadium, where the last two Ranji Trophy ties have seen scores in excess of 500 and 600, the Mumbai batsmen plunged into deep trouble when they lost two wickets for 11 runs by the eighth over. Left-handed Akhil Herwadkar (22 in 89 minutes), who opened the innings, and no. 4 Sidhesh Lad (24 in 73 minutes) repaired the damage somewhat with a stand of 36, but the former was run out to open the floodgates. The home team lost four wickets for the addition of only 10 runs to be reeling at 67 for six and barely managed to cross the 100 mark before being shot out in the 43rd over. The wrecker-in-chief for MP was their right arm medium pacer Amarjeet Singh (4 for 52) who was well supported by his partners -- right-arm N R Sawke (2 for 25) and left-arm A P Singh (2 for 26). Mumbai fought back to send back two MP batsmen with only 34 on the board, before opener P Y Sharma (41 in 118 minutes with 7 fours) steadied the boat with H J Bhatia, who struck a breezy, unbeaten 61 off 76 balls with seven fours and a six in his 142-minute stay. After Sharma got dismissed at 78, Bhatia and A H Bais (42 not out in 60 balls, 74 minutes, 7 fours) simply waded into the hosts` attack to plunder 77 runs in only 40 balls and 16.5 overs for the unfinished fourth wicket stand to take the game away from Mumbai. Brief scores: Mumbai 109 all out in 42.4 overs (A Herwadkar 22, S D Lad 24; Amarjeet Singh 4 for 52, N R Sawke 2 for 25, A P Singh 2 for 26). Madhya Pradesh 155 for 3 in 39 overs (P Y Sharma 41, H J Bhatia batting 61, A H Bais batting 42). PTI