SRINAGAR: Abdul Samad struck a commanding 143 off 152 balls to help Jammu and Kashmir secure a draw against Baroda in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A encounter at the Reliance Cricket Ground in Vadodara on Thursday, thwarting the hosts after they enforced the follow-on.
Samad’s counter-attacking century, combined with Sahil Lotra’s patient 96 off 240 deliveries, helped J&K reach 316 for six in their second innings after being dismissed for 303 in the first. The visitors had been asked to follow on after conceding a 313-run lead.
Baroda had established control of the match with a first-innings total of 616, built around Priyanshu Moliya’s 321 off 492 balls and Mahesh Pithiya’s 102 off 214 deliveries.
J&K faced a daunting task after their first innings ended at 303 all out. Qamran Iqbal top-scored with 121 off 193 balls, while Umar Nazir Mir added 101 off 117 deliveries. Atit Sheth led Baroda’s bowling effort, taking four wickets for 61 runs.
With J&K following on, Samad provided the impetus for the visitors’ fightback, scoring freely to keep Baroda from pressing home their advantage. Lotra anchored the innings with a measured knock that kept the scoreboard moving while preserving his wicket.
Pithiya claimed three wickets for 132 runs in the second innings, but Baroda could not dismiss J&K before the match concluded. The visitors finished on 316 for six to secure the draw despite trailing substantially after the first innings.
Lotra had earlier taken four wickets for 160 runs in Baroda’s first innings, in which Moliya’s triple century and Pithiya’s hundred laid the foundation for the hosts’ imposing total.
