Zaheer bowls Baroda to victory

Left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan made a strong case for his return to the national squad as he led defending champions Baroda to a 136-run victory over Punjab on the third day of the five-day semi-final in Baroda on Friday.

Khan claimed six wickets for 25 runs to send Punjab packing for 82 in their second innings.

Baroda had earlier set Punjab a target of 219 runs, to be achieved in about two-and-half days, after their second innings folded at 233.

Baroda will now take on the winner of second semi-final between Bengal and Railways, currently being played in Delhi.

The final will be played from March 6-10.

Baroda reached their second successive final despite conceding a vital 15-run first innings lead to Punjab. Though the visitors had a solid batting line-up they failed to come good at crucial junctures and lost wickets at regular intervals.

Zaheer ran through the Punjab batting line-up with good support from his new ball partner Rakesh Patel (2-21) and spinners Shekhar Joshi (1-26) and Valmik Buch (1-9).

Baroda's overnight batsmen Ajit Bhoite and Valmiki Buch added 36 valuable runs to the team's total.

Bhoite, who had made 85 runs in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 66, off 88 balls, with eight fours and a six.

Earlier reports
Punjab take 15-run lead over Baroda
Baroda stage strong fightback