Fallah gives Maharashtra ideal start in Ranji semis

Maharashtra left-arm pacer Samad Fallah picked a seven wicket haul to put his team in a strong position against Bengal on day one of the Ranji Trophy semifinal at the Holkar Stadium here Saturday.

Falla's burst led to Bengal getting bowled out for 114 in 41.4 overs after the opposition put them in. Maharashtra were 164 for four at stumps, leading by 50 runs. Ankit Bawne (37) and Rohit Motwani (8) were in the middle.

The other contributions came from Harshad Khadiwale (28), Chirag Khurana (48) and Kedar Jadhav (40), who is among the India probables for the World Twenty20 in March-April.

Laxim Ratan Shukla and speedster Ashok Dinda shared the wickets for Bengal, who find already themselves on the back foot.

Shukla had U-19 star Vijay Zol leg before besides removing opener Khadiwale. Dinda removed Khurana and Jadhav.

An entire day of play was washed out in the other semifinal between Punjab and Karnataka in Mohali.

Brief scores:

Bengal 114 all out (Arindam Das 37; Samad Fallah 7/58), Maharashtra 164 for four (Harish Khadiwale 28, Chirag Khurana 48, Kedar Jadhav 40, Ankit Bawne 37 batting; Ashok Dinda 2/45, LR Shukla 2/45).

--Indo-Asian news Service

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