Shahbaz, Gharami centuries power East Zone to innings win over North East Zone

Shahbaz Ahmed's career-best 167 and Sudip Kumar Gharami's 146 helped East Zone secure a commanding innings-and-210-run victory over North East Zone in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru.

After being bowled out for 111 in their first innings, North East Zone were dismissed for 146 in their second innings after being forced to follow on. The result sent East Zone into the semi-finals, where they will face defending champions Central Zone from August 30.

North East Zone had made a promising start to the contest, reducing East Zone to 25 for 2 and later 128 for 5. However, Shahbaz and Gharami turned the game decisively in East's favour with a massive partnership, taking their side's total to 467.

Shahbaz's 167 was the standout innings, while Gharami contributed a composed 146. With the bat, East Zone established a lead of 356 runs, putting enormous pressure on their opponents.

North East Zone's first innings quickly unravelled. After reaching 78 for 3, they lost their remaining wickets rapidly and were bowled out for 111. Abhijit Sarkar was the chief destroyer, finishing with five wickets for 20 runs, while Shahbaz also made an impact with 3 for 20.

Forced to bat again, North East Zone lost Arpit Bhatewara, their top scorer from the first innings, to Mukesh Kumar early on the third morning. Mohammed Shami then produced a testing spell in overcast conditions, repeatedly beating the outside edges without finding a wicket.

East's spinners subsequently took control. Shahbaz removed Joseph Lalthankhuma before captain Rongsen Jonathan was caught behind by Ishan Kishan. Kangabam Priyojit was then dismissed by Anukul Roy, who had been relatively quiet in the first innings.

Roy was almost unplayable during his second spell. Bowling from around the wicket, he maintained a tight wicket-to-wicket line and mixed his arm ball with subtle changes of pace to keep the batters under constant pressure.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added to North East's troubles by taking two wickets in an over. He first induced Kishan Lyngdoh into a miscue over the covers before drawing an outside edge from Imliwati Lemtur, with Kishan completing the catch.

Akash Chaudhary and Pheiroijam Jotin briefly delayed the inevitable with a 39-run stand for the ninth wicket. Roy, however, returned to finish the innings and complete his five-wicket haul.

He first bowled Choudhary before dismissing Jotin, with Kishan completing a leg-side stumping. North East Zone were bowled out for 146 shortly after lunch, giving East Zone a comprehensive innings victory.

East Zone will now take on Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final beginning on August 30.