It was a performance built on collective resolve. Abdul Samad led the charge with scores of 82 and an unbeaten 30 off just 27 balls in the chase, while seam-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi delivered a match-defining haul of 9 for 123 across both innings.
Photo: IANS
February 18 will be etched in Jammu & Kashmir’s cricketing folklore after the side booked their first-ever Ranji Trophy final berth with a six-wicket win over two-time champions Bengal in the 2025-26 semi-final in Kalyani.
It was a performance built on collective resolve. Abdul Samad led the charge with scores of 82 and an unbeaten 30 off just 27 balls in the chase, while seam-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi delivered a match-defining haul of 9 for 123 across both innings. Vanshaj Sharma’s composed, unbeaten 43 in the fourth innings ensured there were no late nerves as J&K capped off what has been a fairytale campaign.
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On Wednesday, resuming their pursuit with 83 still required and eight wickets intact, J&K were put under early pressure as Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep extracted sharp movement with the new ball. The Bengal pacers consistently found the edge and whizzed past the bat in the opening spell, compelling the visitors to proceed with caution.
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Earlier, Nabi had once again stepped up, claiming four wickets in the second innings as Bengal were bundled out for 99 on day three. With support from Sunil Kumar, he tilted the match decisively in J&K’s favour and left them chasing a modest 126 for victory.
The target, however, was far from straightforward. Shami and Akash Deep removed Shubham Pundir (27) and captain Paras Dogra (9) early on, briefly reviving Bengal’s hopes. Samad responded emphatically, launching two towering sixes off Shahbaz Ahmed, one over long-on and another over extra cover, to wrest back momentum.
Sharma then took control, striking three boundaries off Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal before sealing the contest in style with a six over Mukesh Kumar’s head. The winning hit sparked jubilant celebrations, with teammates hoisting their coach in delight as history was scripted.
Nabi was named Player of the Match for his nine-wicket effort, fitting recognition on a day that will be remembered as a watershed moment in J&K’s red-ball journey. In the title clash, scheduled from February 24 to 28, J&K are set to face Karnataka, who advanced, courtesy of a first-innings lead against Uttarakhand in the other semifinal in Lucknow.
Brief Scores: Jammu & Kashmir 302 (Samad 82, Shami 8-90) and 126 for 4 (Vanshaj 43, Samad 30*, Akash Deep 3-46) beat Bengal 328 (Gharami 146, Nabi 5-87) and 99 (Shahbaz 24, Sunil 4-27, Nabi 4-36) by six wickets
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