Safi Darashah Cricket: Saini, Khod lead Haryana charge

Openers Nitin Saini (118, 209b, 14x4, 1x6) and Abhimanyu Khod (92, 180b, 7x4, 2x6) put on 204 runs to carry Haryana to 242 for two in 70 overs against KSCA President's XI in the semifinal of the Safi Darashah All-India cricket tournament here Monday.

Earlier, Kunal Kapoor (165 not out, 160b, 21x4, 1x6) became the third centurion for the President's XI after Samarth Ravikumar (171) and Liyan Khan (141) as the home team made 581 for three in their allotted 120 overs.

In the other semi-final, KSCA XI were in command as they dismissed KSCA Secretary's XI for 205 for a first innings lead of 136 runs which they stretched by making 169 for two in their second essay with opener Robin Uthappa making 88 (110b, 4x11, 6x2) and KL Rahul scoring 55.

Brief scores:

KSCA Presidents' XI (1st innings) 581-3 in 120 overs (Samarth Ravikumar 171, Liyan Khan 141, Kunal Kapoor 165 not out, Shishir Bhavane 75) vs Haryana CA XI 242 for 2 in 70 overs (Nitin Saini 118 (209b, 14x4, 1x6), Abhimanyu Khod 92 (180b, 7x4, 2x6), SK Moinuddin 2-73).

KSCA XI 341 all out in 86.2 overs and 169 for 2 in 36 overs (Robin Uthappa 88 (110b 4x11 6x2), KL Rahul 55) vs KSCA Secretary's XI 205 all out in 56.4 covers incl 12 penalty runs for bowling 2 covers short (Mayank Agarwal 30, Arjun Hoysala 32, SL Akshay 2-42 Appanna KP 2-34, Sharath HS 2-22).