Pathak, Yusuf lead West fightback in Duleep final

Hyderabad:

Gritty batting by Chirag Pathak (130) and Yousuf Pathan (84 not out) brought West Zone back into the game as their Duleep Trophy final against South Zone is heading for an exciting finish.

Chasing an improbable 536 for a win, West finished the day four at 379 for six, needing 157 more runs with Yusuf standing between their victory and defeat. Stumper Penal Shah (0) was at the crease with first innings centurion Yusuf when the stumps were drawn for the day.

Resuming at 50 without loss and a mountain of runs to climb, Pathak and his fellow opener Harshad Khadiwale (45) batted with steely resolve as they put up 117 runs for the opening wicket.

Srikkanth Anirudha broke the partnership by accounting for Khadiwale but West skipper Wasim Jaffer carried on the good work and hit a composed 66, adding 107 for second wicket with Pathak.

Soon after Jaffer's fall, Bhavin Thakar got his second successive duck and Pathak too started his walk back, giving South enough reasons to think of victory.