Jammu and Kashmir created history by storming into their first-ever Ranji Trophy final with a six-wicket victory over Bengal at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground.
Auqib Nabi delivered another match-winning performance, claiming four wickets alongside Sunil Kumar as Bengal collapsed for 99 in their second innings. Set a modest target of 126, J&K chased it down in 34.4 overs. Vanshaj Sharma struck an unbeaten 43, while Abdul Samad added 30 to seal the win.
Earlier, Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep dismissed Shubham Pundir and captain Paras Dogra cheaply, but Samad counterattacked with two towering sixes off Shahbaz Ahmed. His aggressive stroke play shifted momentum firmly toward J&K. Sharma later hammered Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal for three boundaries before finishing the chase with a six over Mukesh Kumar’s head, sparking jubilant celebrations.
Players lifted their coach in a huddle as the team marked February 18 as a golden day in their cricketing journey. Nabi earned the player of the match award for his nine-wicket haul, underlining his pivotal role in J&K’s success.
J&K now prepare to face Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final scheduled from February 24 to 28. Karnataka appear set to secure a first-innings lead against Uttarakhand in the other semifinal at Lucknow. The title clash promises high drama as J&K aim to continue their remarkable rise in red-ball cricket.
