Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Azim Kazi stars in Maharashtra's win

CHANDIGARH: All-rounder Azim Kazi continued his excellent recent form as he smashed a sparkling knock of 44 to guide Maharashtra to an eight-run win over the

Railways

in a rain-affected match of the ongoing

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

on Friday.


Kazi's 28-ball knock was studded with one four and four sixes. Maharashtra, who were put in to bat, posted 104 for 6 in 15 overs, before restricting the Railways to 96 for 8, to start their campaign with a win.

The Railways's fragile batting line-up were uncomfortable in front of Maharashtra's medium pacers as Samad Fallah (2/20), Mukesh Choudhary (2/10) and Rahul Tripathi (2/12) ran through their innings.

Earlier, when Maharashtra batted, Kazi came to the team's rescue after they were tottering at 26 for 5 at one stage. The hard-hitting batsman survived a few leg-before appeals before playing a breezy knock. He put on 20 runs for the fifth wicket with Kedar Jadhav (27 off 26b; 2x4, 1x6) to steady the ship for the side. Thereafter, he added 43 runs with Nikhil Naik (20 not out off 17b; 1x6) off just 22 balls to help Maharashtra get to a competitive total.

For the Railways, Krishna Kant Upadhyay (3/12) was the main wicket-taker, while Pradeep (1/12), Harsh Tyagi (1/18) and Karan Sharma (1/19) shared three wickets between them.

In reply, the Railways were never in the game as Fallah and Choudhary dismantled their top order. They were reduced to 43 for 7 in 9 overs. But a late push from their lower order batters, Harsh Tyagi (28 not out off 21b; 1x4, 2x6) and Pradeep (27 off 16b; 2x4, 2x6) raised their hopes to an extent but eventually fell short by eight runs.

Maharashtra will now face Chandigarh on Saturday in their next match.

Brief Scores

Maharashtra: 104 for 6 in 15 overs (Azim Kazi 44, Kedar Jadhav 27, Nikhil Naik 20 not out; Krishna Kant Upadhyay 3/12)

Railways: 96 for 8 in 15 overs (Harsh Tyagi 28 not out, Pradeep 27; Samad Fallah 2/20, Mukesh Choudhary 2/10, Rahul Tripathi 2/12)