JOIN USAfter their bowlers staged a fine comeback on day two, KSCA XI batsmen produced an improved performance in their second innings against Cricket Association of Bengal to keep the final of the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah memorial all-India invitational tournament nicely poised.
On the third and penultimate day at the Alur (1) ground here on Wednesday, Karnataka, resuming from their overnight score of 52 for no loss, posted 309 all out to set a target of 230 runs for the visitors.
Patient half-centuries from openers R Samarth (68 n.o., 160b, 6x4) and Mayank Agarwal (74, 132b, 8x4) set Karnataka up for a huge total but the spin duo of Aamir Gani (4/88) and Pragyan Ojha (5/74) shared nine-wickets between them to peg the hosts back.
Lower-order batsman K Gowtham (73, 125b, 7x4, 2x6) too chipped in with a fifty to help KSCA XI push their total past the 300-run mark.
Bengal began their chase in confident manner to finish at 51/1 at stumps.
Needing 179 runs on the final day with nine wickets in hand, Bengal are well placed to emerge champions. For the hosts, the onus once again lies on their bowlers to produce a stellar show, if they are to pull off an improbable victory.
DH News Service
Brief scores: KSCA XI: 130 all out in 59.3 overs and 309 all out in 100 overs (Samarth R 68 n.o., Mayank Agarwal 74, CM Gautam 32, Gowtham K 73; Aamir Gani 4-88, Pragyan Ojha 5-74) vs Cricket Association of Bengal: 209 all out in 80.5 overs and 51/1 in 14 overs (Prasenjit Das 28 n.o.).