Trivandrum: After an eventful day’s cricket which saw 16 wickets tumbling, Odisha will fancy their chances of notching up an outright victory on the final day of their CK Nayudu Trophy clash against Hyderabad.
Chasing 300 to win, Hyderabad reached 65 for 2 at stumps on Thursday. Krishna Palai and Tarani Sa picked up a wicket each as Odisha dismissed both openers, captain Abhirath Reddy and K Prajwal.
Odisha will need 8 wickets on Friday at St Xavier’s KCA cricket ground to win their second successive match in Elite Group C and keep alive chances of advancing in the tournament.
Odisha bowlers did well in the morning to take the last four wickets and wrap up Hyderabad’s first innings for 232.
Looking to score at a fast clip and build on their lead of 113 runs, Odisha kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Kartik Biswal and Anil Parida lifted the innings with half-centuries, adding 74 runs for the fifth wicket.
Parida top-scored with 58 off 97 balls, striking 9 fours, while Parida’s 55 came in 77 balls and included 5 boundaries.
After the duo was dismissed, Odisha suffered a collapse and lost the last six wickets for 27 runs to be all out for 186.
It won’t be easy for Hyderabad to score the remaining 235 runs for victory on a last-day pitch which should aid spinners.
Scores: Odisha 345 & 186. Hyderabad 232 & 65/2.
Match to continue.
