SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir advanced to their first-ever Ranji Trophy final after a commanding six-wicket victory over Bengal at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani on Wednesday.
All-rounder Auqib Nabi played a starring role, taking nine wickets across the match and contributing 42 runs off 54 balls in the first innings. Bengal was dismissed for 99 in their second innings, with Nabi and Sunil Kumar claiming four wickets each, leaving JK a manageable target of 126.
In the run chase, Vanshaj Sharma anchored the innings, finishing unbeaten on 43 and sealing the win with a six off Mukesh Kumar, while Abdul Samad added a quick 30 from 27 balls.
Nabi has been instrumental throughout JK’s impressive campaign, including a match-winning performance in the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, where he took 12 wickets for 110 runs—7 for 40 in the first innings and 5 for 70 in the second—helping JK secure a 56-run victory. JK is expected to face Karnataka in the final, who currently hold a first-innings lead against Uttarakhand in the other semifinal.
