Kanpur: Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari’s maiden five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy helped Uttar Pradesh stage a strong comeback against Goa on the second day of their four-day match on Monday. After being bowled out for just 202 in their first innings, UP made a strong comeback by bowling out Goa for 164 and taking a crucial 38-run lead. Despite a poor start in their second innings, the hosts recovered to reach 102 for 4 at stumps, taking their overall lead to 160 runs.With two days remaining, UP are in a favourable position, thanks to Zeeshan’s brilliant bowling and a fighting unbeaten half-century by skipper Aryan Juyal.Resuming their second innings, UP suffered a double blow in the very first over when Goa’s Yash Kaswankar dismissed Abhishek Goswami and Madhav Kaushik for ducks. However, Juyal and Karan Sharma steadied the innings with an 86-run partnership for the third wicket.Karan fell leg-before to D W Misal after making 31 off 98 balls with three boundaries and a six. Nightwatchman Zeeshan Ansari made just three runs, while Juyal remained not out on 60 at the end of the day’s play. Kartik Yadav was batting on one at the other end.Earlier, Goa resumed their first innings at 44 without loss, with Suyash Prabhudessai and Shivendra Bhujbal at the crease. With the pitch assisting spinners, both batters adopted a cautious approach but managed to add only 16 runs before Zeeshan broke through.Skipper Juyal stumped Suyash for 19, and Zeeshan then took a return catch to dismiss Bhujbal for 44. With his next delivery, the leg-spinner bowled Snehal Kauthankar for a duck, coming close to claiming a hat-trick before Lalit Yadav negotiated the delivery safely. Lalit, however, fell to KS Yadav for one, leaving Goa struggling at 81/4.Skipper Abhinav Tejrana and Yash Kaswankar tried to steady Goa’s innings, but Karan Sharma dismissed Abhinav lbw for 26. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals for Goa, even as Kaswankar showed resistance with a patient innings of 80 balls. Zeeshan’s five-wicket haul was key as UP restricted Goa to 164.UP coach Gyanendra Pandey praised Zeeshan’s performance and congratulated him on his maiden five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy.“Zeeshan brought us back into the game. Now the ball is in our court. An additional 170 runs should be enough to win the match, as the wicket is tricky and assisting spinners,” Pandey said.Brief scores: UP first innings – 202 and second innings – 4 for 102 (Aryan Juyal 60 no, Karan Sharma 31, Yash Kaswankar 2 for 27, Darshan Misal 1 for 39, Abhinav Tejrana 1 for 1); Goa first innings – 164 (Suyash Prabhudessai 19, Shivendra Bhujbal 44, Abhinav Tejrana 26, Yash Kaswankar 36, Darshan Misal 11, Kartik Yadav 2 for 34, Vansh 2 for 27, Zeeshan Ansari 5 for 45, Karan Sharma 1 for 15)
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