Vanshaj Sharma and Abid Mushtaq's lower-order fireworks, capped by a defiant 65-run last-wicket stand with Sunil Kumar, propelled J&K to a challenging 291-run target against Madhya Pradesh in a thrilling Ranji Trophy quarterfinal at Holkar Stadium in Indore today.

MP staggered in reply at 87 for five, still needing 204 with five wickets in hand and a day’s play remaining.

Resuming at 84 for five,J&K battled to 248 in their second innings, extending their 42-run first-innings lead into a formidable victory equation. Vanshaj Sharma starred unbeaten on 54 off 92 balls (3x4, 1x6), with Abid Mushtaq (41), Abdul Samad(32), Sunil Kumar (26), and Yudhvir Singh (18) providing crucial support.

Madhya Pradesh's Kuldeep Sen claimed four wickets while Venkatesh Iyer and Ramveer Singh Gurgar shared thre eeach.

Chasing a target of 291 runs, MP were 87 for five at stumps on day-three today. Himanshu Mantri (31),Yash Dubey (20),  Shubham Sharma (11*)and Venkatesh Iyer (seven not out) were the main contributors. 

Auqib Nabi took (3/23) and Abid Mushtaq (2/19) were the successful bowlers for J&K.

Earlier, J&K's first-innings 194 was anchored by Shubham Khajuria's 60 and Yudhvir Singh's 41.MP crumbled to 152, undone by Auqib Nabi's match-haul of 10 wickets (7/40 in the first innings) and Sunil Kumar's three.

Kuldeep Sen ripped through with five for 66, backed by Kumar Kartikeya Singh (three) and Aryan Pandey (two).

"Outstanding return catch by Abid Mushtaq, diving left, snaring the ball inches above ground while airborne. Catches win matches. Abid's stunner sparked MP's second-innings wobble. Aaqib Nabi's 10-wicket match haul is legendary. J&K poised to make history," tweeted Brig Anil Gupta, JKCA Member-Administration.

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