New Delhi:
The Indian spin duo of Karn Sharma and Shahbaz Nadeem cast a web around the Kiwis as India A thrashed New Zealand A by an innings and 26 runs to win the two-match unofficial ‘Test’ series 2-0 on Tuesday.
Trailing by 132 runs on Day Four, New Zealand A built a solid platform courtesy Jeet Raval and Henry Nicholls century partnership. The pair stitched together a 105-run partnership that kept New Zealand A in hopes of a draw.
But then came the downfall of the Kiwis batsman at the hands of the spin duo of Karn Sharma and Shahbaz Nadeem. The pair claimed 9 of the 10 wickets in the second innings to hand India A an innings and 26 run win, whitewashing the 2 unofficial Test series.
After scoring 211 in their first innings, the visitors managed only 210 in their second essay, courtesy another batting collapse despite starting the final day at 104 for 1.
Nadeem sparked off New Zealand’s A collapse after trapping Raval leg-before for 47. Karn soon joined in the party by scalping Will Young, Colin Munro in quick succession. With half their side back in the pavilion, Nicholls fell for a valiant 190-ball 94. He was dismissed by Karn. Nadeem came back and outfoxed the likes of Tim Louis Seifert and Scott Kuggeleijn for 9 and 7 respectively.
