Bhui, Kaif hit half-centuries as Andhra reach 170/2 on day 1

Vizianagaram (Andhra): Ricky Bhui and skipper Mohammad Kaif scored a half-century each to take Andhra to 170 for two against Mumbai on the first day of their opening Ranji Trophy Group B cricket match here.

Bhui (91 not out) and Kaif (66 not out) put on an unbroken 152-run stand for the third wicket to consolidate the home team's innings after they were struggling on 18 for two at one stage.

Electing to bat, Andhra did not have an ideal start as both their openers -- KS Bharat (1) and Prasanth Kumar (7) -- got out cheaply in just 14.2 overs.

Kaif played a captain's innings, while Bhui was more dominating of the two, scoring at a brisk pace.

The duo managed to steady the boat and take the team past 150-run mark without the loss of any more wicket in the next two sessions of the day.

Kaif took 235 balls for his 66 that included nine fours and a six. Bhui's 91 came off 183 deliveries and was studded with 12 boundaries and two sixes.

For the visitors, Shardul Thakur (1/23) and Balwinder Sandhu (1/24) took wicket apiece.

Brief scores:

Andhra 1st innings: 170 for two in 80 overs (Mohammad Kaif batting 66, Ricky Bhui batting 91; Shardul Thakur 1/23) vs Mumbai.