JOIN USOpener Faiz Fazal scored an unbeaten century as Vidarbha reached 244 for two in their first innings against Karnataka at stumps on the opening day of the Group A Ranji Trophy match here today.
Fazal hit an unfinished 259-ball 139, studded with 21 fours and he was ably supported by skipper Shalabh Shrivastava, who scored a patient 75 off 221 balls with the help of nine hits to the fence.
The duo were standing tall at the crease at the draw of stumps on the opening day at the Vidarbha Cricket Assoctaion stadium at Jamtha here.
Electing to bat, Vidarbha suffered a big blow early on when they lost opener Akshay Kolhar in the third ball of the innings. He was caught by Manish Pandey off Abhimanyu Mithun's delivery.
Wicket-keeper Amol Ubarhande (18) and Fazal then tried to steady the innings and stitched together 62 runs before the former was sent packing by Abrar Kazi in the 22nd over.
However, Vidarbha took complete control of the match after that wicket as Fazal and new man Shrivastava put together 181 runs for the third wicket to put their team in a commanding position.
Mithun and Abrar Kazi were the only bowlers to get a wicket.
Brief Score:
Vidarbha 1st innings: 244 for two in 90 overs (FY Fazal 139; AA Kazi 1/39).