Amogh Desai’s 124 helps Goa beat Kerala in South Zone

Opener Amogh Desai hit a brilliant 124 to help Goa narrowly beat Kerala by two wickets in a South Zone leg match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy here on Friday.

Desai hit 13 fours in his 137ball innings and shared 149 runs for the fifth wicket with Darshan Misal (69) from 25.2 overs as Goa chased down the target of 284 with five balls to spare at the NSC Ground here.

Desai’s match-winning knock overshadowed Kerala medium pacer Basil Thampi’s fine sixwicket haul for 51 runs as Goa lower oder batsmen managed to hold on their nerves in the final overs to reach 287 for eight and win the match.

Earlier, Sachin Baby struck a superb 90-ball 100 to take Kerala to 283 for seven after being put into bat. Baby’s included 10 fours and a six though his efforts also went in vain at the end.

Chasing the stiff target of 284, Goa were in trouble early on as they were reduced to 36 for three in the sixth over and then slumped to 64 for four in the 13th over before Desai and Misal’s rescue act.

Desai was the sixth man out in the 45th over with Goa needing another 31 runs with four wickets in hand. But, they lost two quick wickets and were reduced to 266 for eight in the 47th over.

But, Amit Yadav ensured that Goa emerged victorious as he hit a fine 31-ball 37 not out.