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Cuttack: Mohammed Kaif and Naman Ojha struck fighting fifties as Central Zone overcame a wobbly start to reach a steady 169 for three after bowling out East Zone 427 in their Duleep Trophy quarterfinal at Barabati Stadium on Thursday.
The visitors were struggling at 55 for three at one stage but India discard Kaif (78) and Ojha (50) stitched together unbeaten 114-run stand to walk out of second day's play with a decent total.
Earlier, East Zone resumed at 328 for five and lost last five wickets after adding 99 runs to the total.
Wridhhiman Saha, who was unbeaten on 18 on Wednesday, grabbed valuable 69 runs before being run out.
Saha's 69 included 11 hits to the fence and one over it as he batted for 148 minutes facing 98 balls.
Central Zone made a disastrous start as it lost MD Mishra (0) without opening account and Aakash Chopra (3) too departed when the scorecard was reading just three.
The third wicket fell at 55 when Hrishikesh Kanitkar was caught by Natraj Behera off Iresh Saxena for 29.
A new lease of life was infused to Central Zone's batting Kaif took command and collected valuable 78 runs aided by 12 hits to the boundary.
Kaif was supported well by Ojha, who scored a patient 50 as both were at the crease at the end of second day's play.
For East Zone, Ashok Dinda, B C Mohanty and Iresh Saxena captured a wicket apiece.
Brief scores
East Zone 427 (Jaggi 118, Tiwary 109, Saha 69, Pankaj 4-126)
Central Zone 169 for 3 (Kaif 78*, Ojha 50*)
