Harpreet, Rameez hit half-centuries to take MP to 261/9

Harpreet Singh (81) and Rameez Khan (73 not out) scored a half-century each to help Madhya Pradesh reach 261 for nine against Andhra on the first day of their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.
Opting to bat, MP lost three wickets cheaply to be struggling at 39 for three before Harpreet came to team's rescue.
Harpreet and Rameez put on a crucial 105-run stand for the fifth wicket to take the team to a respectable position. But Harpreet's dismissal triggered a collapse and MP suddenly lost four wickets with an addition of just 23 runs to the total.

From 197 for five, the hosts were reeling at 220 for nine before Rameez and Ishwar Pandey ensured that MP was not bundled out on the day.
At stumps, Rameez's unbeaten knock included eight fours and a six, while Pandey was not on 20.
For Andhra, Bandaru Ayyappa was the pick of the wickets with figures of five for 59.
MP 1st innings: 261 for nine in 90 overs (Harpreet Singh 81, Rameez Khan batting 73; Bandaru Ayyappa 5/59).