Abid Mushtaq Spins North Zone Past West Zone into Duleep Trophy Semi-finals

Abid Mushtaq produced a match-winning performance with the ball as North Zone defeated West Zone by 52 runs in a thrilling Duleep Trophy quarter-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, securing their place in the semi-finals.

The Jammu & Kashmir allrounder claimed a remarkable nine wickets for 99 runs across the two innings on a red-soil surface that offered significant assistance to the spinners. A total of 25 wickets fell to spin during the match, with Mushtaq emerging as the decisive performer.

West Zone began the final day needing 67 runs for victory, while North Zone required just three wickets. The contest, which had remained finely balanced, was settled in only 6.3 overs as Mushtaq and Nishant Sindhu completed the cleanup of West Zone's lower order.

Mushtaq struck with the second ball of the day, dismissing Tanush Kotian with a delivery that skidded low and beat his defence before crashing into middle stump.

Tushar Deshpande survived for 17 deliveries before attempting to attack Mushtaq in the allrounder's third over. Drifting the ball from around the stumps, Mushtaq induced an edge that was safely taken by Abdul Samad at slip.

Three balls later, Sindhu finished the match when Urvil Patel was trapped lbw for 25 while attempting to attack the left-arm spinner. West Zone's hopes of completing the chase disappeared in quick succession.

Mushtaq turns the match around

Mushtaq's impact had begun late on the fourth day, when West Zone appeared to be in control at 211 for 4. A century partnership between Musheer Khan and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad had put West within sight of the target.

Mushtaq broke the stand and then returned on the final morning to dismantle the lower order, finishing with figures of 5 for 39 in the first innings and 4 for 60 in the second.

North Zone were also well served by Arshdeep Singh, who made an impressive return to first-class cricket after nearly a year away from the format. He claimed four wickets in the match, including three in the first innings, using late movement in both directions to trouble West Zone's top order.

Anshul Kamboj also played a crucial role. With North Zone struggling at 161 for 7 in the first innings, Kamboj struck a valuable 60 to help his team reach 251.

He then contributed with the ball, dismissing Mumbai's Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian in quick succession with the old ball. His efforts helped North secure a 64-run first-innings lead.

North Zone strengthened their position in the second innings through Ayush Badoni, who scored his second consecutive half-century of the match. Badoni made 51 in the first innings and followed it with 50 in the second, providing his side with the cushion they ultimately needed.

West Zone's chase was led by Musheer Khan, who narrowly missed out on a century with a score of 96, while Gaikwad contributed 66. However, once Mushtaq broke their crucial partnership, North Zone seized control.

North Zone set up semi-final against South Zone

The victory sends North Zone into the first semi-final, where they will face South Zone, led by Tilak Varma.

In the other quarter-final, East Zone defeated North East Zone and booked their place in the second semi-final against defending champions Central Zone, led by Rajat Patidar.

Both semi-finals will be played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from August 30.

For North Zone, the victory was built on a collective bowling effort, but Mushtaq's outstanding nine-wicket haul proved the difference on a surface heavily favouring spin.