Malik scalps six as Himachal bowl out Mumbai for 162

Mumbai:

Speedster Vikramjeet Malik ripped through the famed Mumbai batting line-up with a six-wicket haul as Himachal Pradesh took control of their Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match on the first on Tuesday.

Malik, who ended with figures of six for 33, justified skipper Ashok Thakur's decision to bowl first as the visitors bowled out Mumbai for a paltry 162 in 51.1 overs at the Bandra-Kurla Complex ground here.

In reply, Himachal were 79 for no loss at one stage but lost three quick wickets to end the day at 100 for three. Opener Bhavin Thakkar (48) and Vinit Indulkar (10) were at the crease when stumps were drawn for the day.

Earlier, Malik made full use of the moist conditions, swinging the ball both ways to clean up the Mumbai top order, including the prize scalp of skipper Wasim Jaffer for nought, to have the home side tottering at 18 for three.

Rohit Sharma (22; 53 balls, 4X3) and Abhishek Nayar (16; 45 balls, 4x3) tried to stem the rot, adding 46 runs for the fourth wicket.

However, Sharma was trapped in front by medium pacer Jitender Mehta, while Malik came back to remove Nayar from the other end as Mumbai went into lunch at 90-5.

Mumbai's misery continued after lunch as they lost the wickets of Vinayak Samant (10), debutant Harmeet Singh (0) and Iqbal Abdullah (5).

However, Ajit Agarkar, who top-scored with 45 (66 balls, 4x6), and Dhawal Kulkarni 28 (50 balls, 4x3, 6x1) saved Mumbai the blushes as they added 54 runs for the ninth wicket to give some respectability to their total.

The visitors enjoyed a good start as openers Thakkar and Sangram Singh added 79 runs. Just when it looked like Himachal was running away with the game, Mumbai spinners stuck thrice to bring the hosts back into the game.

Harmeet beat Sangram in the air to have him stumped, while a rush of blood against Iqbal led Abhinav Bali (2) to his own downfall.

Harmeet then had Paras Dogra caught at first slip for nought.