Services reach 256/8 after Paliwal half century

Struggling at 73 for five at stumps after a rain-curtailed opening day's play yesterday, Paliwal gave the visiting side's scoreboard a semblance of respectability with his 155-ball knock, which was laced with seven hits to the fence at the Rural Development Trust stadium.

Syed Sahabuddin, T Atchuta Rao and D Shivkumar too two wickets apiece for Andhra while there was one each for R V Pawar and K Bharat Reddy.

After being at the receiving end on day 1, Services got a much better start today as Paliwal and wicketkeeper Sarabjit Singh, who scored 34, added 99 runs for the sixth wicket to put them on a the right track.

Sarabjit fell after making 34 and Paliwal, too, perished soon after but Muzzaffaruddin Khalid, who was unbeaten on 41, along with Shadab Nazar (30 not out) were involved in an unbroken stand of 55 for the ninth wicket, which frustrated the Andhra players.

Brief scores:

Services: 256 for 8 in 108 overs (Rajat Paliwal 72, Muzzaffaruddin Khalid 41 not out; D Shikumar 2/30, Syed Sahabuddin).