Ranji: Zaheer grabs a wicket as MP reach 191/5

Young Satyam Choudhary remained unbeaten on 73 as Madhya Pradesh reached 191 for five in reply to Mumbai's first innings score of 304 in a Ranji Trophy group league encounter at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday.

Satyam and former India colts player Harpreet Singh (26 batting, 5x4) added 37 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket stand when stumps were drawn. Satyam hit 11 boundaries in his undefeated knock and the hosts now need 114 runs to surpass Mumbai's first innings total.

The discarded pace spearhead Zaheer Khan didn't look menacing enough as he bowled 17 overs to take the wicket of rival skipper Devendra Bundela who was bowled for eight.

India 'A' players Naman Ojha and Jalaj Saxena also didn't get many runs.

Mumbai captain Ajit Agarkar was the most successful bowler taking two for 43. Iqbal Abdulla, Abhishek Nayar and Zaheer bagged the other wickets.

Earlier, opener Kaustubh Pawar completed his third century in first-class cricket as Mumbai finished their first essay at 304 largely due to the 42-run final wicket partnership between Pawar and Javed Khan who smashed a quickfire 27 with three fours and a six.

Medium pacer Ishwar Pandey was the most successfl bowler taking six for 54.

Brief Scores:
Mumbai: 304 (Kautubh Pawar 111 no, Ankeet Chavan 44, Ishwar Pandey 6/54).
Madhya Pradesh: 191/5 (Satyam Choudhary 73 batting, Harpreet Singh batting 26, Naman Ojha 26).