Diwesh Pathania match haul of 13 wkts takes Services on verge of win in Ranji Trophy

New Delhi: Pacer Diwesh Pathania, playing his maiden first-class match, grabbed seven wickets in Jharkhand second innings in a brilliant bowling show for a match haul of 13 as Services closed in on a big victory here today.

Pathania, who collected 6 for 19 in the first innings to bundle Jharkhand out for 45, picked up 7 for 64 on the second day today to run through the visitors even in their second essay, meaning Services needed just 77 for the win.

Pathania ended with match figures of 13 for 83.

In their second second innings, Services were five for no loss from the three overs they faced, needing another 72 runs for a win.

Services, who began the day at 131 for 9, managed to score 161 in their first innings to earn a lead of 116, thanks largely to a 43-run stand for the last wicket between Raushan Raj and Poonam Poonia.

Jharkhand's hopes of an unlikely turnaround were further dented by loss of wickets at regular intervals, as Pathania reduced them to 41 for 4.

Virat Singh (51) and Saurabh Tiwary (56) led a recovery by hitting fifties and stringing together a 66-run partnership.

However, no other batsman barring Jaskaran Singh (30) could produce a vital knock, as Jharkhand were bowled out for 192 in 74 overs.

Brief Scores:

Jharkhand: 45 and 192 (Saurabh Tiwary 56, Virat Singh 51; Pathania 7/64)

Services: 161 all out in 51 overs (Rajat Paliwal 26, Poonam Poonia 24; Rahul Shukla 3/61) and 5 for no loss in 3 overs.