DHARAMSHALA: Satvinder Singh became a hero in one magical moment at the Cricket Stadium here on Friday. His ten-metre dash and a fling that ended in a spectacular catch to end an equally thrilling innings by Rizwan Shamshad was the event to remember for the locals on the third and penultimate day of the four-day Mohammad Nissar Trophy contest between Uttar Pradesh and Sialkot.

Satvinder is an under-22 cricketer from Kangra and was here to learn and watch. He had to take the field because the Sialkot camp has been hit hard by injuries and illness to its key players. Satvinder and Siddharth Manhas were the two locals required to field for Sialkot.

The causalities

Mohammad Asif returned home to avoid any further stress before the Champions Trophy. Imran Nazir was nursing an injury to his wrist, regular wicketkeeper Khalid Hafiz hurt his middle finger and was reduced to a spectator with Shahid Yousuf taking over the dual responsibility of captaincy and wicketkeeping. The Sialkot team did not have replacements since Asim Butt and Inamul Haq were unwell too.

Resuming at 14 for no loss, U.P. finished at 361 for seven for an overall lead of 416 runs.

Aggressive knock

Shamshad's innings was in sharp contrast to his earlier effort. He played more aggressively and his range of shots left the opposition helpless. Eight fours and one six decorated his 129-ball knock, which had a similarity to the first innings stint when he failed to convert his excellence at the crease into what would have been his 20th first class century. A pity he got out playing the pull to part-time seamer Mansoor Amjad.

Suresh Raina warmed up for the Challenger Series with a neat half-century. He showed superb form as he timed the ball well and produced a 70-ball knock with six fours before indiscretion cost him dearly, stepping out pre-determinedly and was bowled off left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who was not afraid to flight the ball.

Ravikant Shukla, plucky at times, once again made an impression with his ability to pick the gaps and play on the rise. His 64 off 125 balls with five fours reconfirmed his potential to earn a spot in the bigger league. He has the right temperament and the approach to make it big. Jyoti Yadav too made the most of the mediocre attack by knocking off an unbeaten 47 off 95 balls with three fours.

The scores:

Uttar Pradesh — 1st innings: 316.

Sialkot — 1st innings: 261.

Uttar Pradesh — 2nd innings: R. Prakash c Yousuf b Majid 34, S. Shukla c Yousuf b Mughal 36, S. Raina b Rehman 55, R. Shukla c Majid b Mughal 64, R. Shamshad c (sub) Satvinder b Amjad 88, J. Yadav (batting) 47, P. Kumar c (sub) Atiq-ur-Rehman b Mughal 1, P. Chawla c and b Majid 8; Extras (b-12, lb-2, nb-14) 28; Total (for seven wkts. in 97.4 overs) 361.

Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-95, 3-165, 4-238, 5-328, 6-337, 7-361.

Sialkot bowling: Asif 4-1-7-0, Ahmed 22-4-68-0, Mughal 22-1-97-3, Majid 8.4-1-25-2, Rehman 27-1-108-1, Malik 7-1-23-0, Amjad 5-0-16-1, Shahjad Malik 2-0-3-0.

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