Makda's high five derails Rajasthan

In a fine start to his Ranji Trophy campaign, Gujarat left-arm seamer Ashraf Makda took a five-wicket haul to bundle out star-studded Rajasthan for 204 on the first day of the Elite B Group of Ranji Trophy match at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Makda, who opened the bowling from the pavilion-end after Gujarat won the toss and elected to field, initially failed to make any impression.

Gagan Khoda and England batsman Vikram Solanki began with a flourish by sending the hosts on a leather hunt.

Rajasthan's 50 came off 86 balls, forcing Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel to introduce spin in just the 13th over of the match in form of leg-spinner Timil Patel.

Timil started the rot by having Gagan stumped by Parthiv when he stepped out of the crease for a lofted shot in the 17th over.

Gagan, who got a life on 20 when Hitesh Majmudar failed to hold on to a caught and bowled chance, made 39 with five fours and a six.

Makda, who was re-introduced from the GMDC end, immediately tasted success when he dealt a double blow to the hosts in the 24th over.

Makda first clean bowled new batsman Rahul Kanwat (8) and then had Rajesh Bishnoi (0) edge a catch to wicket keeper in the very next ball. However, Nikhil Doru saw off the hat-trick delivery by playing a defensive shot.

Scorecard

Rajasthan 1st innings
V Solanki b Makda 58
G Khoda st PA Patel b T Patel 39
R Kanwat b Makda 8
R Bishnoi c PA Patel b Makda 0
N Doru c PA Patel b Damani 46
A Jadeja lbw b Makda 6
D Yagnik lbw b Makda 3
K Ali c & b Damani 19
P Singh run out (P Patel) 0
M Aslam not out 3
S Mathur c Thaker b Damani 3
Extras (b 2, lb 2, w 2, nb 13) 19     
Total (all out; 60.4 overs; 264 mins) 204     

Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-98, 3-98, 4-120, 5-143, 6-150, 7-194, 8-196, 9-198, 10-204

Bowling: A Makda 20 2 51 5, Patel 8 0 26 0 3, Majmudar 13 1 60 0, Patel 11 3 44 1, J Makla 4 1 12 0, Damani 4.4 2 7 3

Gujarat 1st innings
N Modi not out 25
A Christian b Pankaj Singh 8
N Patel c Yagnik b Ali 4
P Patel not out 2
Extras (nb 4) 4     
Total (2 wickets; 28 overs) 43     

Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-37

Bowling: Pankaj Singh 10 4 13 1, Kabir Ali 9 3 18 1, S Mathur 6 2 9 0, R Kanwat 1 0 1 0, Jadeja 2 1 2 0