UP down Odisha to qualify for Ranji quarter-finals

Uttar Pradesh came up with yet another superb bowling show by bundling out Odisha for 101 in their second innings to score a 43-run win over the home side on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Group B match in Cuttack, on Monday.

Resuming at 53 for four, Odisha could add just 48 runs before they were all out for 101 in the morning session on a pace-friendly pitch at the Barabati Stadium.

Chasing 145 for a win, Odisha resumed needed 92 more runs but it took Uttar Pradesh just 17.2 overs to dismiss the  remaining six batsmen of the visiting side and end the match inside seven sessions.

Paceman Imtiaz Ahmed completed his first 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket with figures of 5/29 in Odisha's second innings. Govind Podder resisted with a 36 -- the highest scorer for Odisha in second essay and second-highest in the match, but Uttar Pradesh were too good for the home side.

Only two other Odisha batsmen -- Niranjan Behera (15) and Lagnajit Samal (13) -- could reach double-digit figures.

With this victory, Uttar Pradesh finished on top of Group B with 33 points -- from four wins and four draws -- thus ensuring a meeting with a Group C team in the quarter-final.

Odisha, who had to take the gamble of producing a green pitch against the best attack in the country, were knocked out of the tournament as they needed to win the match to stay in the hunt for a place in the knockout stage.

Brief Scores:

Uttar Pradesh: 160 and 111

Odisha: 127 and 101 all out in 37.2 overs (Govind Podder 36; Imtiaz Ahmed 5/29).