news-engine

East close in on big win vs North East, Arshdeep puts North in control vs West East Zone closed in on a big win over North East Zone, while Arshdeep Singh and Abid Mushtaq put North Zone in control against West Zone on the second day of the Duleep Trophy quarter-finals on Monday. East Zone moved within touching distance of a comprehensive win over North East Zone, while North Zone took a crucial first-innings lead over West Zone on the second day of their respective Duleep Trophy quarter-finals on Monday. Out-of-favour India all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed starred for East, hitting a career-best 167 before claiming three wickets as his side enforced the follow-on on North East. East posted 467 before bowling out North East for just 111, with Tripura medium pacer Abhijit Sarkar taking 5 for 20 and Shahbaz returning 3 for 20. North East, asked to bat again, reached 7 without loss at stumps but still need another 349 runs to avoid an innings defeat. East are firmly in control and could wrap up the contest early on the third day unless the weather intervenes. Shahbaz, who resumed his overnight century, struck 17 fours and four sixes in his 244-ball innings. He added 103 runs with Anukul Roy, who made 37, for the seventh wicket and was the last batter dismissed. North East had initially reached 72 for two before losing eight wickets for 39 runs. Arpit Bhatewara top-scored with 32, while Rongsen Jonathan made 21. In the other quarter-final, North Zone secured a 64-run first-innings lead over West Zone after Abid Mushtaq and Arshdeep Singh impressed with the ball. West resumed on 31 for two after North had posted 251 but were bowled out for 187. Mushtaq claimed 5 for 39 in 25.5 overs, while Arshdeep returned 3 for 53. Shams Mulani's 52 was the only half-century for West, with Musheer Khan making 31. North, however, could not press home their advantage immediately and ended the day on 107 for four, taking their overall lead to 171 runs. Ayush Badoni was unbeaten on 39, with skipper Kanhaiya Wadhawan on eight. Yash Dhull endured another failure, falling for a duck to Mulani after being dismissed by Shardul Thakur in the first innings. North had preferred Dhull over Sanat Sangwan, who scored 828 runs in the Ranji Trophy. North will look to stretch their lead towards 250 on the third day, which could give them a strong chance of defending it. Brief Scores: East Zone 467 (Shahbaz Ahmed 167, Sudip Kumar Gharami 146, Kumar Kushagra 55; Pheiroijam Jotin Singh 3/64) and North East Zone 111 (Arpit Bhatewara 32; Abhijit Sarkar 5/20, Shahbaz Ahmed 3/20), 7/0 after follow-on. North Zone 251 and 107/4 (Ayush Badoni 39 not out; Shams Mulani 2/34, Tanush Kotian 2/22). West Zone 187 (Shams Mulani 52, Musheer Khan 31; Abid Mushtaq 5/39, Arshdeep Singh 3/53).