Brothers Irfan and Yousuf Pathan led Baroda's fight against Maharashtra on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group match at Motibag ground in Vadodara on Saturday.
The younger sibling -- Irfan -- returned a brilliant five-wicket haul to restrict the visitors to 228 and then Yousuf made an unbeaten 39 in Baroda's score of 88 for three at stumps.
Yousuf and Azhar Bilakhia (28) were at the crease when play was called off a little early due to bad light.
The hosts' batsmen struggled after their bowlers provided them a brilliant opportunity to shape the match in their favour, as they were reduced to 24 for three.
Yousuf, who along with Irfan and Munaf Patel [Images] returned to Ranji duty following cancellations of remaining ODIs against England [Images], however, ensured the hosts do not lose advantage.
The unbeaten third-wicket partnership between Yousuf and Bilakhia added valuable 64 runs though they are still trailing by 147 runs in their first innings.
Earlier after winning the toss, Baroda skipper Connor Williams decided to field and soon had the visitors on the mat with scorecard reading 103 at lunch.
It was for Kedar Jadhav's gritty half-century that helped Maharashtra reach 228 runs.
His 111-ball 80 was studded with 10 fours and three sixes.
Baroda bowlers quickly polished off the tail after Jadhav's departure.
Irfan Pathan [Images] (5/54) was the main wrecker-in-chief while Munaf Patel (2/81) and Rajesh Pawar (2/33 runs) were also among the wickets.
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
|