Nagpur: Akshdeep Nath scored a half-century as Uttar Pradesh got the better of Madhya Pradesh by three wickets in a Central Zone match of the Vijay Hazare one-day tournament here today.
Riding on Anand Bais and Jatin S Saxena's half-centuries, MP scored 250 for six in their allotted 50 overs, which UP achieved in 48 overs after losing seven wickets.
Put in to bat, MP lost four wickets for just 79 runs on the board, but Udit Birla (26) and Bais managed to consolidate the innings for a brief period by putting on a 43-run stand for the fifth wicket.
After Birla's dismissal, Bais (68) continued in the same vein and in the able company of Saxena (65) ensured that the team reached 250-run mark. The partnership yielded crucial 101 runs for the sixth wicket.
For UP, Piyush Chawla was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 37 from his 10 overs, while Ankit Rajpoot claimed two for 42.
In reply, UP openers Praveen Kumar (38) and Mukul Dagar (44) gave the team a good start.
Although, in the middle UP lost as many as five wickets for just 69 runs, Akshdeep and Eklavya Dwivedi (48 not out, 35b, 6X4) joined hand to bring the campaign back on track.
Akshdeep scored a superb 55 off 63 balls that included two fours and as many sixes.
In the end, UP reached 252 for seven with 12 balls to spare.
Brief scores:
Madhya Pradesh: 250 for six in 50 overs (Anand Bais 68, Jatin S Saxena 65; Piyush Chawla 3/37).
Uttar Pradesh: 252 for seven in 48 overs (Akshdeep Nath 55, Eklavya Dwivedi 48 not out; Jatin S Saxena 2/41).
