#CRICKET: The Jammu and Kashmir scripted history by reaching the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time in their 67-year history, defeating two-time former champions Bengal by six wickets on day four of the semifinal today in West Bengal.
As per reports Set a below-par target of 126 by the home side, they chased it down in 34.4 overs, with Vanshaj Sharma (43 not out) and Abdul Samad (30 not out) steering them past the finish line.
This was after pace spearhead Auqib Nabi had wreaked havoc by taking nine wickets in the match to destroy the host side’s chances. J&K first participated in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959-60 seasons and was not seen as a contender up until now.
During the 2013-14 seasons, they qualified for the knockouts for the first time in over a decade. At stumps on day three on Tuesday, J&K were 43/2, and they lost overnight batter Shubham Pundir (27) and skipper Paras Dogra (9) early on day four.
But Vanshaj and Samad dug in with a 55-run partnership to steer them to a historic victory. Brief scores: Bengal: 328 and 99 in 25.1 overs.
Jammu and Kashmir: 302 and 126 for 4 in 34.4 overs. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha extended his congratulations to the J&K cricket team for their remarkable victory in the Ranji Trophy semi-final, which secured them a historic place in the final.
In a post on X, the Office of the LG lauded the team’s performance and described the achievement as a milestone in the region’s sporting journey.
“Congratulations to the J&K cricket team on their magnificent victory in the Ranji Trophy semi-final! You have etched a new golden chapter in the sporting history of J&K,” the post read. The LG further stated that the entire Union Territory takes pride in the team’s exceptional performance and expressed hope that the players would maintain their winning momentum in the final to bring further glory to J&K.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also congratulated the J&K cricket team for its remarkable achievement in the Ranji Trophy.
