Srinagar, Jan 3: Jammu and Kashmir’s downward slide in the Vijay Hazare Trophy continued on Saturday as Uttar Pradesh registered a comprehensive 58-run win, handing J&K their third consecutive defeat.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, J&K’s strategy of relying on their bowling strength backfired badly as the attack failed to apply pressure on the Uttar Pradesh batting line-up, which posted a formidable 322 for 5.
Much of the focus fell on Auqib Nabi, who led the bowling attack but endured another difficult outing. The pacer finished with figures of 2 for 73 from 10 overs, conceding runs at 7.30 per over, struggling to contain batters during key phases of the innings. While he managed two wickets, the lack of control and penetration allowed Uttar Pradesh to maintain momentum throughout.
The bowling unit, in general, looked toothless. M Ashwin was the most expensive, leaking 79 runs in his nine overs for just one wicket. Sunil Kumar and Lone Nasir Muzaffar were the only bowlers to show some restraint, with Nasir returning figures of 1 for 48 from nine overs, emerging as J&K’s most economical option on the day.
Uttar Pradesh built their innings around solid partnerships, with Sameer Rizvi’s unbeaten 80 off 45 balls and Prashant Veer’s brisk 37 not out providing the late flourish that took the score beyond J&K’s reach.
In reply, J&K’s chase began promisingly as openers Qamran Iqbal and Shubham Khajuria added 76 runs for the first wicket. The stand was broken by a run-out that saw Qamran depart for 32, triggering a familiar collapse. Khajuria went on to score 60.
Once again, Yawer Hassan stood tall amid the ruins, playing a composed and unbeaten 85, but the lack of partnerships from the other end proved costly. Skipper Paras Dogra’s poor run in the tournament continued, while Kawal Preet Singh, brought in for Abdul Samad, failed to make an impact. Lone Nasir Muzaffar departed for a duck, further denting the chase.
Auqib Nabi attempted a late cameo with 30 off 21 balls, but his dismissal left Yawer stranded, and J&K were eventually restricted to 264 for 8.
Cricket observers have begun expressing concern over J&K’s overall balance, pointing out that both batting and bowling are being exposed against stronger sides. Questions have also been raised over selection decisions, particularly the omission of impact players Abdul Samad and Yudhvir Singh, as the team struggles to arrest its slide.
With momentum firmly against them, J&K face pressing questions ahead of their remaining fixtures, as consistency, especially from senior bowlers like Auqib Nabi, remains elusive.