Uttar Pradesh were left needing 143 runs for a victory after they bundled out hosts Hyderabad for 221 in the second innings on the penultimate day of the Ranji Trophy Elite 'B' group match at Gymkhana Grounds in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
A poor start by hosts in the second essay enabled the UP bowlers to get on top as they reduced Hyderabad to 35 for 3 before the hosts recovered through some solid defence by the middle order.
Anirudh Singh (43) and Vinay Kumar (75), who was making a comeback, played with caution and took the team to safety by adding 61 runs for the fourth wicket.
Vinay Kumar added 54 runs for the fifth wicket with Arjun Yadav (24) while Ibrahim Khaleel eked out a useful 37 to lift the score to 221.
UP spinner S Srivastawa troubled the batsmen with his flight and claimed five wickets for 55 runs off 16 overs.
Anirudh hit a quick 43 off 83 ball with five hits to the fence while Vinay compiled a patient innings of 73 runs off 165 balls with 8 hits to the fence.
Speedster RP Singh swung back into action to account for Arjun Yadav and Ibrahim Khaleel, who was well caught by Jyoti Yadav, for a breezy 37 off 57 deliveries.
Earlier, resuming at 279 for six in reply to hosts' first innings total of 246, UP added 46 runs in 10 overs to take a first innings lead of 79 runs.
With four points from the three matches it has played so far, UP needs 143 runs to win the match on the final day tomorrow in 90 overs.
