Bengal opt for batting practice

Bengal opted for batting practice on the final day of their East Zone Ranji Trophy match against Bihar which ended in a tame draw at the Keenan stadium in Jamshedpur on Thursday.

Having already gained a first innings lead of 36 runs when they resumed at 377 for five, Bengal batted almost throughout the final day before they were all out for 561. Skipper Utpal Chatterjee was out for 30 while Saba Karim, who was 105 overnight, went on to make 129. The Bengal tail then wagged. WP Majumdar, at No 8, scored 50 off 90 balls with three fours. S Panda, at No 9, hit 48 off 89 with four boundary hits. And AA Lahiri at No 10 remained not out on 28 off 48 balls with two fours. Even last man Abdul Masood chipped in with 13 off 40 deliveries. Avinash Kumar sent down 77 overs to capture four wickets for 172 while Satish Singh took four for 129 off 38.3 overs. In the remaining time, Bihar scored 51 for one in 22 overs when stumps were finally drawn. Bengal got five points and Bihar three.