Uttar Pradesh defeats Jharkhand by 8 wickets

Rajkot: A fine bowling show by Akshdeep Nath and Mukul Dagar`s cracking 63 helped Uttar Pradesh thrash Jharkhand by eight wickets in Sayed Mustaq Ali trophy.

Jharkhand scored 114. However, Uttar Pradesh chased down the target in 14.4 overs, losing only two wickets. After being invited to bat first, Jharkhand`s openers Ishank Jaggi and Ishan Khan gave a decent start, making 48 runs before latter was run out. Nath struck twice dismissing Jharkhand top scorer Ishank Jaggi and Virat Singh (2). Jaggi made 39 runs from 37 balls with six fours while Sandeep Gupta contributed 28. Akshdeep Nath was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 20, while Pravin Kumar and Praveen Gupta had a wicket each. Chasing the target of 114 runs, Uttar Pradesh did not face any trouble even though they lost opener Prashant Gupta (11) early. Mukul Dagar and Eklavya Dwivedi then joined hands, adding 60 runs for the second wicket. Dagar`s 63 came from 45 balls with ten fours while Dwivedi remained unbeaten on 37, facing 24 balls with four boundaries and a six. For Jharkhand, Keshav Kumar and Samar Quadri took a wicket each. Jharkhand: 114 for 6 (Ishank Jaggi 39, Sandeep Gupta 28, Akshdeep 3/20). Uttar Pradesh: 120 for 2 in 14.4 overs (Mukul Dagar 63, Eklaya Dwivedi not out 37, Samar Quadri 1/16).