SER sets 213 target for ER in AIR Cricket semifinal

Patna, May 6 (UNI) Kolkata-based South Eastern Railway(SER) scored 212 runs on the opening day of the second semi-finals of the 52nd All India Railway Cricket tournament against last year's Champion Eastern Railway(ER) at the Moinul Haque Stadium here today.

Deciding to bat first after winning the toss SER batsmen, Arindam Ghosh(65) and Soham Ghosh(49) minced the Eastern Railway pace attack from the beginning and scored till the two were parted in the 43rd over.

On his way to reach the highest individual score Arindam faced 137 deliveries and hit five boundaries, while Soham hit 49 off 95 deliveries.

Other SER batsman could not face the Eastern Railway spin and pace attacks with ease and fell one after another at short intervals.

Pranab Prasad became the most successful spinner claiming as many as four SER wickets giving 61 runs in 24.1 overs. Among other pacers S S Paul captured three wickets, while A Roy and D.Chakraborty managed one scalp each.

Eastern Railway facing 213 runs for a straight win as well as a berth in the final, could not come out to bat in the remaining few minutes because of a sudden cloud burst. They will, however, start their innings tomorrow morning, on the second and final day of the match.

The winner of this semifinal will take on Western Railway, Mumbai in the final from May nine.

Today's brief score: South Eastern Railway 212 all out in 67.1 overs(Arindam Ghosh 65, Soham Ghosh 49, Pranab Prasad 61/4,S S Paul 58/3) UNI ABA AA KK PDS RS1909