Shahbaz Ahmed’s fine run in the Ranji Trophy continues

Shahbaz Ahmed continued to impress in the Indian domestic extravaganza as he bagged another man of the match award, thanks to a thumping display against Hyderabad.

He played a crucial role in the first innings where his partnership with Abhishek Porel helped Bengal escape an unexpected landslide at the beginning of the innings. From 116 for 6, Shahbaz helped Bengal stabilize a rocky ship as his combination with Porel saw them stitching together a crucial stand of 74 runs.

Alongside Mukesh Kumar’s four-for display, Shahbaz and Akash Deep chipped in with a scalp apiece that saw Bengal bundling Hyderabad out for a modest 205.

Shahbaz took up the reins of the game for the second time as he dished out an impeccable 51 from just 87 balls propelling Bengal to a fighting 201 after the remaining batters failed to impress with the willow.

Hyderabad’s second innings witnessed the Bengal bowlers swarming over them, especially the duo from Royal Challengers Bangalore starring Akash Deep and Shahbaz Ahmed. The duo of Ahmed and Akash Deep plundered seven wickets between them in the second innings, slaying Hyderabad emphatically.

This was another impressive display for Shahbaz after a fine 71 in the second innings of the opening match of the contest that helped Bengal secure a crucial victory in the season opener.