Centuries from Anustup Majumdar (110) and Shahbaz Ahmed (106) helped Bengal return to winning ways as they beat Mumbai by 67 runs (VJD method) in Sunday’s Vijay Hazare Trophy clash at the KCA Cricket ground at Mangalapuram.
Having moved up to No.3 in Group B courtesy this win, Bengal must defeat Karnataka on Tuesday to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
After an embarrassing defeat to Tamil Nadu the other day, Bengal effected three changes in their XI: wicketkeeper-batsman Sreevats Goswami, Kaif Ahmed and Sumanta Gupta were dropped, while Anustup, Suvankar Bal and debutant leg-spinner Ranjot Singh Khaira were brought in.
Comeback man Anustup held firm and kept unleashing superb strokes. Shahbaz and he forged 129 for the fourth wicket as batting at No.3, Anustup registered his fourth List A hundred.
Shahbaz shifted gears after Anustup’s dismissal, and with the help of eight fours and four sixes, enabled Bengal post a formidable 318/7. Thereafter, left-arm spinner Pradipta Pramanik (3/33) turned it in Bengal’s favour as Mumbai were reduced to 223/8 in 41 overs before rain forced an early end.
Brief scores: Bengal 318/7 in 50 ovs (A. Majumdar 110, S. Ahmed 106). Mumbai 223/8 in 41 ovs ( P. Pramanik 3/33). Bengal won by 67 runs (VJD method).
