Vadodara, Jan 29: North Zone beat defending champions West Zone by virtue of their first innings lead to claim a berth in the Duleep Trophy 2010-11 final.
Resuming on the overnight score of 191/3, North Zone were all out for 421 on the final day, Mithun Manhas being the hero of their second innings. His unbeaten 158 runs with 26 fours came off 178 deliveries. Sumit Narwal, who had pocketed five wickets in the first innings, scored a half century and later in the day picked up the first West Zone wicket to give North Zone their first breakthrough.
Yashpal Singh, who was batting on eight yesterday, scored 42 runs. He and Narwal gave Manhas adequate support to ensure North Zone a berth in the final.
Batting in the second innings, West Zone managed 61/3 before the match was declared drawn and North Zone, the winners.
Earlier, Samad Fallah and Bhargav Bhatt each got a four-for in North Zone’s second innings.
For North Zone, Vikas Mishra dismissed Sahil Kukreja and Ajinkya Rahane to finish with 2/5.
The clash for the title will take place at Vizag between North Zone and South Zone from February 2, 2010.
Brief scores
North Zone: 1st innings 315/5 and 2nd innings 421 all out (M Manhas 158*, Sumit Narwal 50, SM Fallah 4/ 113, BA Bhatt 4/104)
West Zone: 1st innings 392 all out and 2nd innings 61/3 (HH Khadiwale 21, A Mishra 2/5)
North Zone: S Kanwar, S Dhawan, Mandeep Singh, M Manhas, Yashpal Singh, U Kaul (wk), A Mishra (c), Joginder Sharma, S Narwal, Vikas Mishra, P Suyal
West Zone: W Jaffer (c), RA Jadeja, SO Kukreja, AM Rahane, MY Vahora, BA Bhatt, SM Fallah, HH Khadiwale, CA Pujara, PR Shah (wk), JD Unadkat.
