Khurasiya stars in Central Zone's comprehensive win

An unbeaten 96 from No. 3 Amay Khurasiya guided Central Zone to a comprehensive 91-run win over East Zone in the Deodhar Trophy tie played at Burlton Park, Jalandhar.

Central Zone skipper Mohammad Kaif won the toss in the morning and had no hesitation in taking first strike. Jyoti P Yadav made a belligerent start which saw him make 23 off 26 balls with four fours. But fall of regular wickets prevented Central Zone from fully capitalising on it. Their run-rate would have fallen further had it not been for Khurasiya's steady presence in the middle. The veteran Madhya Pradesh batsman shared useful partnerships with S Raza Ali (55 runs for the fifth wicket) and with D Bundela (67 for the sixth wicket) as Central Zone put up a useful 239 for nine in their 50 overs.

When East Zone replied, none of their batsmen could play a similar hand. Skipper Rohan Gavaskar, who made 45, played the only meaningful innings but it was far too brief to be of any significance. Medium-pacer Harvinder Singh and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, who claimed three wickets each, were the most successful bowlers for Central Zone who claimed five points from the match.