North Zone pile on pressure

Paras Dogra struck a strokeful half-century as North Zone piled on a big total of 484 in their first innings to place themselves in a commanding position on the second day of the four-day Duleep Trophy quarterfinal match against West Zone here on Sunday.

Dogra’s 77 pushed North’s overnight score of 251 for three to 484 all out in 174.4 overs shortly before close. He hit 10 fours and a six from the 147 balls he faced at the MA Chidambaram stadium here.

An early wicket -- in the form of Ajinkya Rahane off paceman Ishant Sharma for a first-ball duck -- put West Zone in the back foot.

West Zone were six runs for one in one over at stumps on the second day with Kastubh Pawar (4) and Murtuja Vahora (0) at the crease.

Three other North batsmen made valuable contributions with Amit Mishra (48), Rishi Dhawan (38) and Nitin Saini (37) chipping in.

After wicketkeeper batsman Nitin Saini left at his overnight score of 37 (82 balls, 5x4), it was Himachal batsman Dogra and Mayank Sidhana who took charge, adding 48 runs between them in 17.5 overs for the fifth wicket.