Aaquib, Sameer put UP in driving seat

LUCKNOW : Speedster Aaquib Khan took six wickets, whereas captain Sameer Rizvi smashed an unbeaten century as former champions Uttar Pradesh were in a commanding position to take first innings lead against hosts Rajasthan on the opening day of their three-day Central Zone Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy in Jaipur on Monday.

Aaquib’s 6/71 helped UP floor Rajasthan for 171 in 49.1 overs in their first innings. And then Rizvi’s 117-ball unbeaten 115, which contained 17 fours and three sixes helped Uttar Pradesh score 149/3 in 36 overs, at the KL Saini Stadium.

With seven wickets in hand, Uttar Pradesh now need just 22 runs to take first innings lead. Despite losing openers Mohd Amaan (0) and Shivam Kumar (0) in the second over and then fellow opener Satnam Singh (3) in the fifth over, Uttar Pradesh batsmen, especially skipper Rizvi never found himself in trouble. He kept his cool, but hit the loose deliveries hard to score runs. His 133-run unbeaten fourth wicket partnership with Aardhaya Yadav (29*, 83b, 1x4) was a treat to watch. Rizvi was attacking to Rajasthan bowlers, whereas Yadav was handling the ball with soft hands. It wasn’t a good start for hosts too early in the day after they chose to bat first on the home turf. Damandeep Singh bowled opener SA Yadav (14), before Kunal Tyagi forced RP Garg (1) to offer a simple catch to Aaradhya Yadav and Rajasthan were reduced to 2/31.

SB Jat (78*, 103b, 12x4, 1x6) and Karan Lamba (31, 40b, 3x4) tried to adorn innings, stitching together 49-run for the third wicket, but in vain as Aaquib Khan uprooted Lamba’s off stump with a swinging one in the 32nd over.

Thereafter, it was almost all over as none among the other seven batsmen could touch the double figure mark. Speedster Aaquib Khan was well supported by Damandeep Singh (2/40) and Kunal Tyagi (1/15).

WITH SEVEN WICKETS IN HAND, UTTAR PRADESH NOW NEED JUST 22 RUNS TO TAKE FIRST INNINGS LEAD