Vijay Hazare Trophy: Murali Vijay Stars as Tamil Nadu Beat Kerala

Half-centuries from Murali Vijay, Baba Aparajith and R Sathish helped Tamil Nadu post a four-wicket win over Kerala in a South Zone match of the Vijay Hazare one-day championship here on Saturday.

Opting to bat, Kerala opener K B Pawan scored a century to guide his team to a competitive total of 254 all out in 49.2 overs but in the end it proved to be not enough.

Tamil Nadu achieved the target in 49.5 overs, losing six wickets in the process.

Pawan's 113 off 130 balls went in vain as none of the other batsmen could come up with significant contributions. Only Amit Verma (36) and Rohan Prem (25) chipped in with some crucial runs.

Tamil Nadu bowlers, Rahil Shah (3/34) and M Mohammed (3/45) bowled well to get three wickets apiece, while senior pacer Laxmipathy Balaji took two for 52.

In reply, Tamil Nadu lost Friday's centurion Abhinav Mukund (23) early, but Vijay and Aparajith put on 103-runs for the second wicket to lay a solid platform. While Vijay scored a 92-ball 66, Aparajith came up with a knock of 68 off 82 deliveries.

Although Tamil Nadu lost a couple of wickets in between, but Sathish's unbeaten 55 of just 33 balls, studded with eight fours and a six, ensured that the team reached home with a ball to spare.

Brief scores:

Kerala: 254 all in 49.2 overs (K B Pawan 113, Amit Verma 36; Rahil Shah 3/34, M Mohammed 3/45).

Tamil Nadu: 255 for six in 49.5 overs (Murali Vijay 66, Baba Aparajith 68; Raiphi Vincent Gomez 3/51).