Abbas Ali steers Madhya Pradesh to a 33-run victory Rajasthan

Jaipur, Apr 7 (UNI) A Brilliant all round performance by skipper Abbas Ali (55, 35b and 2 for 18) steered Madhya Pradesh to a 33-run victory over the hosts Rajasthan in a vital Central Zone Twenty-20 Cricket match at the SMS Stadium here today.

Madhya Pradesh has all the chances to qualify for the next round as they have completed their engagement with 12 points from four matches. Rajasthan too have same points from as many matches but the last tie of the tournaments between Railways and Vidarbha will decide the fate of the two teams who will qualify for the next round. Railways have eight points from three matches and in all probability they are likely to get past Vidarbha and come on at par on points with Madhya pradesh and Rajasthan. In that case, run rate will come into the picture to decide the two teams who will qualify from this zone.

Abbas Ali's fiery knock of 55 including six fours and three sixes was important for Madhya Pradesh as he put on 93 runs for the first wicket which Sachin Dholpure (41, 35b, 6x4). They laid a solid foundation for the team who scored 156 for 7 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first.

Ranjeet SIngh was the most successful bowler for Rajasthan who took 4 for 20.

Chasing a victory target of 157, the home team were all out for 123 in 19.4 overs. At one stage they were 109 for 7 but they lost four wickets for addition of only 14 runs. Abbas Ali and Shantanu Pitre each took two wickets for Madhya Pradesh.

Brief Score- Madhya Pradesh innings - 157 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs (Abbas Ali 55, Sachin Dholpure 41, Murtaza Ali 17, Sunil Dholpure 16 not out, R Singh 4 for 20, Robin Bist 2 for 26).

Rajasthan innings - All out for 123 runs in 19.4 overs (R Sharma 29, R Jhalani 28, K Singh 15, S Pitre 2 for 18, A Ali 2 for 18).

UNI