Fast bowling trio of Aquib Nabi, Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh masterminded a dramatic collapse of Bengal's formidable batting lineup in their second innings to propel J&K close to history berth in the Ranji Trophy finals.

Chasing a target of 126 runs, J&K were comfortably placed at 43 for two.  After taking a slight 26 runs vital lead, Bengal's second innings crumbled spectacularly for just 99.

Earlier, resuming from overnight total of 198 for five at Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, J&K posted 302 runs on Day three today, conceding a narrow 26-run lead.

Abdul Samad starred with a commanding 82, while skipper Paras Dogra anchored the innings with a gritty 58. Aquib Nabi (42 off 54 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and Yudhvir Singh (33 off 42, 2 fours, 2 sixes) added crucial runs, though Kanhaiya Wadhawan (29) and Abid Mushtaq (27) fell early.

Bengal's Mohammed Shami was the destroyer-in-chief, ripping through J&K with a haul of eight for 90 in 24.1 overs, supported by Mukesh Kumar, who took two wickets.

Bengal's second innings crumbled at just 99, handing J&K. Shahbaz Ahmed top-scored with a resolute 24, but the rest offered no fight as J&K's pace trio ran riot. Aquib Nabi and Sunil Kumar masterminded the collapse with four wickets apiece, while Yudhvir Singh snared two.

In pursuit, J&K reached 43 for two at stumps, still needing 83 with eight wickets intact. Shubham Khajuria (01) and Yawer Hassan (06) departed cheaply, but Shubham Singh Pundir (23) and Vanshaj Sharma (nine) displayed promise under pressure. Akash Deep took both the wickets to fall.

"Great effort by J&K bowlers. They bundled Bengal for 99 runs. On the brink of history. Superb bowling from Aquib, Sunil, and Yudhvir; excellent captaincy by Paras Dogra," tweeted Brig Anil Gupta, Member-Administration, JKCA.

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