The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Fighting knocks by Yusuf Pathan, Williams

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Wednesday, Jan 11, 2006

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Fighting knocks by Yusuf Pathan, Williams

Special Correspondent

Vadodara: Yusuf Pathan, deputy to Jacob Martin in the Baroda Ranji Trophy squad, showed that responsibility rests easily on his shoulders with a polished 72 (104 b, 9x4), mixing caution and aggression in right measures to guide the home team to 229. Hyderabad, opting to field on day one of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B tie at Motibaug ground, was 28 for one at stumps, 201 runs away.

Admirable shot selection

Yusuf, identified as Irfan Pathan's elder brother in first-class cricket till he becomes a brand on his own, displayed admirable shot selection and composure to justify the trust placed on him by the team management by elevating him as the vice-captain.

Walking out to bat with five top-order specialists gone for 115, the tall all-rounder with an upright stance and cracking strokes, watched the Hyderabad attack before wading in. Timing the ball easily right from the first delivery, Yusuf cut and drove against pace, while swept against spin to wrest initiative away from the visitors.

Hard work

New ball bowler Alfred Absolem (four for 51 off 20 overs) and spinner Inder S. Reddy (two for 46 off 20) worked hard on a surprisingly hot, humid day after skipper Arjun Yadav decided to give his bowlers first strike on a Motibaug track expected to be lively.

Pragyan Ojha, brought into the attack in over number 29, beat in-form Pinal Shah with the leg-spinner's delivery whizzing across the bat into wicket-keeper Ibrahim Khaleel's gloves.

Baroda batsmen were unable to counter Absolem pace and bounce. Opener Connor Williams (63) and Pinal's second wicket stand worth 99 saw the hosts enjoying a hearty lunch (103 for one) before the visitors struck in the afternoon. Absolem, with a smooth run-up and quick arm-action sent back Williams, captain Martin and seasoned campaigner Kiran Powar. Wicket-keeper Khaleel, lively and alert enough to pouch four catches, had many moments to celebrate.

Engrossing contest

The dominance of ball over bat, eight out of 10 batsmen getting bowled or snicking behind, made for an engrossing contest before Yusuf stepped out to snuff out Hyderabad hopes in an eight-wicket stand of 60 with Shekhar Joshi.

Baroda, enjoying the luxury of a confirmed semifinal place, tried out new faces, among whom medium-pacer Murtuza Vahora lured opener Shashank Nag into third slip Yusuf Pathan's hands. Leg-spinner Swapnil Singh, the youngest ever Ranji debutant for Baroda at 14 years, 355 days, awaits his turn.

The scores:

Baroda — 1st innings: Connor Williams c Khaleel b A. Absolem 63, Satyajit Parab b A. Absolem 5, Pinal Shah c Khaleel b P. Ojha 41, Jacob Martin b A. Absolem 0, Kiran Powar c Khaleel b A. Absolem 0, Rakesh Solanki c Khaleel b I.S. Reddy 15, Yusuf Pathan b K. Reddy 72, Swapnil Singh b K. Reddy 1, Shekhar Joshi c A. Yadav b K. Reddy 17, Murtuza Vahora c Shashank b I.S. Reddy 0, Irfan Pathan Sr (not out) 0; Extras (b-5, w-1, nb-9) 15. Total (in 76.1 overs) 229.

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-111, 3-115, 4-117, 5-117, 6-157, 7-168, 8-228, 9-229.

Hyderabad bowling: K. Reddy 20.1-4-58-3, A. Absolem 20-6-51-4, I.S. Reddy 20-6-46-2, P. Ojha 16-0-69-1.

Hyderabad — 1st innings: Abhinav Kumar (batting) 5, Shashank Nag c Y. Pathan b M. Vahora 8, Alfred Absolem (batting) 10; Extras (b-4, w-1) 5. Total (for one wkt. in 11 overs) 28.

Fall of wickets: 1-28

Hyderabad bowling: Irfan Pathan Sr 4-1-5-0, Murtuza Vahora 4-1-18-1, Shekhar Joshi 2-2-0-0, Yusuf Pathan 1-1-0-0.

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