Irfan Pathan hit a blazing unbeaten half-century to help Baroda beat holders Uttar Pradesh by five wickets and book a semi-final berth in the Ranji Trophy, in Baroda, on Friday.
Chasing 172 runs for victory, Baroda were tottering at 52 for 4 at one stage when Pathan came to their rescue, scoring an unbeaten 82 that was studded with six sixes and three fours.
After the sixth and penultimate round in the league, Baroda have 17 points, followed by Karnataka 15 and Andhra 12.
Resuming at the overnight score of 17 for one, the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals.
Rajesh Pawar (15), who was caught brilliantly by wicketkeeper Amir Khan off seamer Pravin Kumar, was the first to go and veteran batsman Connor Williams and skipper Jacob Martin also made early exits.
But Pathan shared a valuable unbeaten 72-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Himanshu Yadav (21 not out) to see his side home.
Pravin Kumar and Ratnesh Mishra captured two wickets each for UP.
Scorecard
Uttar Pradesh (1st innings): 269
Baroda (1st innings): 308
Uttar Pradesh (2nd innings): 210
Baroda (2nd innings):
Satyajit Parab run out R Mishra 4
Connor Williams lbw R.Mishra 18
Rajesh Pawar c Khan b Pravin Kumar 15
Rakesh Solanki b R. Mishra 13
Jacob Martin c sub b Pravin Kumar 12
Irfan Pathan not out 82
Himanshu Jadhav not out 21
Extras: (1b 4, nb 3) 7
Total: (for 5 wkts, 52.3 overs) 172
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-30, 3-51, 4-52, 5-100
Bowling: Salabh Srivastava 13-2-40-0, Pravin Kumar 19-5-47-2, Ratnesh Mishra 9-0-29-2, Piyush Chawla 8.3-0-40-0, Mohd Kaif 3-0-12-0.
