All-rounder Parveez Rasool impressed with a five-wicket haul but West Indies ‘A’ held the edge as they made inroads into the India ‘A’ batting line-up after being all out for 429 in the first unofficial Test here on Friday.
At stumps on the second day of the match, India ‘A’ were in a spot of bother at 124 for three, with skipper Chesteshwar Pujara back in the pavilion.
The hosts were trailing the Kirk Edwards-led side by 305 runs with seven wickets in hand.Manpreet Juneja was unbeaten on 47 off 77 balls while Harshad Khadiwale was batting on five. Opener lokesh Rahul made 46 off 100 balls at the Gangothri Glades Cricket Ground.
Earlier, J&K cricketer Rasool emerged as star of the day by taking five wickets for 116 runs in 45 overs. While the rest of the bowlers struggled to get rid of the West Indies tail-enders, the 24-year-old off-spinner always seemed to be on the lookout for wickets.
Resuming at 264 for five, the last five West Indian batsmen frustrated the Indian bowlers by contributing a commendable 192 runs. West Indies ‘A’ lost their overnight batsman Chadwick Walton in the fourth over of the day. Walton could only add eight runs to his overnight unbeaten 27 before being trapped leg before by pacer Ishwar Pandey.
Assad Fadudin (not out 86) and Nikita Miller (49) then thwarted the Indian bowlers, putting on a crucial 88-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
In reply, Indian openers — Rahul and Jiwanjot Singh Chouhan — began on a cautious note. The pair put on 45 runs for the first wicket, before Chouhan was gleefully caught by wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton off left-arm spinner Permaul for 16. Miguel Cummins grabbed the prize wicket of Pujara for three.
Brief Scores
West Indies A: 429 (Asad Fudadin 86 no, Nikita Miller 49; Parvez Rasool 5/116) lead India A: 124/3 (Manpreet Juneja no 47, lokesh Rahul 46; Miller 1/10) by 305 runs at stumps on Day 2.