Credits: BCCI/X
India fast-bowler Mohammed Shami delivered a statement performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 clash. The Indian speedster who has been out of international cricketing scenario for over a year came up with a solid performance, eyeing his India comeback. The 34-year-old picked a three-wicket haul in Bengal’s preliminary quarter-final against Haryana, to make his case for his return to national colours, as he led the bowling unit of his side. In the match played on Thursday, January 9, Bengal opted to bowl first at the Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara, after skipper Sudip Kumar Gharami won the toss over Haryana’s Ankit Rajesh Kumar.
Batting first, Haryana put up a competitive total of 298 runs with a loss of nine wickets. While Haryana openers got off to a decent start, Parth Shiv Vats and Nishant Sindhu came up with knocks of 62 (77) and 64 (67). The Bengal speedster picked three wickets and ended up with the figures of 3 for 61 in his 10-over spell. Shami dismissed opener Himanshu Rana (14) in his first spell and then came back in the death overs to dismiss Dinesh Bana (15) and Anshul Kamboj.
Haryana defeat Bengal by 72 runs in preliminary quarter-finals
Bengal displayed an outstanding bowling performance, with Shami picking three wickets, Mukesh Kumar picked two wickets, and the remaining bowlers picked one wicket each. However, the batters failed to deliver magic with bat and fell short of 72 runs in their run chase. While batting, Bengal batters got off to a decent start. However, the side got their first setback in the form of skipper Gharami, who departed after scoring 36 runs off 39 balls.
While Abishek Porel stood firm on the crease, batters on the other side kept changing and Haryana successfully restricted their rivals on 226 in 43.1 overs to win the match. On Haryana’s side, Parth Shiv Vats picked three wickets, while Nishant Sindhu and Anshul Kamboj got two in their bucket. Aman Kumar, Sumit Kumar and Amit Rana went home with one wicket each.
