Hyderabad, Feb 6 (Inditop.com) Yusuf Pathan smashed an unbeaten belligerent 210 as West Zone created a world record by successfuly chasing down 536 against South Zone to win the Duleep Trophy on the fifth and final day here Saturday.
It was the biggest run chase in the history of first class cricket.
South Zone scored 400 in the first innings and bowled out West for 251. South then declared their second innings at 386 for nine.
Yusuf, the elder of Pathan brothers, played a stellar role with the bat, scoring century in both the innings, a feat matched by Tamil Nadu wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik in the match.
South Zone are themselves to blame as they dropped Yusuf five times. The fielders wilted under pressure even as Yusuf stayed calm while demolishing the bowlers. Yusuf took just 190 balls for his 210, stroking 19 fours and 10 sixes.
On the fifth and final morning, West Zone needed 157 runs for victory and had four wickets in hand. Resuming at overnight 84, Yusuf struck a boundary off the first ball of the day, hitting seamer Chandrasekar Ganapathy over extra cover and never looked back. He took his chances to clear the boundary with effortless ease.
Pinal Shah, at the other end, stood solid rotating the strike. Shah played 116 balls for his 16 runs. After Shah’s dismissal, Ramesh Powar provided Yusuf company with a 28-ball 18.
Ganapathy dropped Yusuf off his own bowling while he was batting on 102. It was Yusuf’s third life of the innings.
Yusuf had to call for a runner (Irfan) due to cramps when he was on 144 and West Zone still 80 runs short of the target.
With the match going out of South’s grasp, wicket-keeper C.M.Gautham dropped another sitter and Yusuf was in no mood to show mercy. West finally completed the run chase, losing seven wickets and in 136.3 overs.
Unfortunately, there were no spectators to watch Yusuf’s brilliant batting as the authorities had decided to keep the fans away from the stadium due to the ongoing Telangaga protests.
rounak