Ranji Trophy: Zaheer Khan takes five-for as Mumbai take upper hand

Mumbai: Zaheer Khan bagged a five-wicket haul before Aditya Tare struck a strokeful century as Mumbai took a substantial lead after posting 198 for two in the second innings over Delhi in their Group A Ranji Trophy match here on Saturday.

Mumbai batted the second time after Delhi were all out for 324 in their first innings, exactly the same score the hosts had put up in their first essay at the Bandra Kurla Complex. For Delhi, veteran batsman Mithun Manhas scored a patient 113 off 196 balls and hit 18 fours and a six but it was Tare, who hogged the limelight with his unbeaten 115 off 125 balls. The 25-year-old Tare found the fence 20 times. Seeking to make a comeback into the Indian team, Zaheer picked up 5/88 as Mumbai bowled the visitors out in 98.4 overs. Zaheer`s wickets included that of out-of-favour India opener Virender Sehwag, Manan Sharma, centurion Manhas, Ashish Nehra and Vikas Mishra. In their second innings at stumps, Tare was batting in the company of Siddhesh Lad, who was unbeaten on 67. He hit six fours and two sixes while facing 86 balls. Brief scores: Mumbai: 324 and 198/2 in 45 overs (Tare not out 115, Lad not out 67) Delhi: 324 all out in 98.4 overs (Manhas 113, Gautam Gambhir 64; Zaheer 5/88).