Omar Abdullah congratulates J&K team for reaching Ranji quarters

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today congratulated the state cricket team for reaching the quarterfinal stage of the Ranji Trophy cricket tournament for the first time ever.

"Congratulations to the J&K cricket team for reaching the quarters of the Ranji trophy. 1st time since 2000 so well done chaps," Abdullah said.

In a fantastic achievement, the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team today qualified for Ranji Trophy quarterfinals for the first time since 2000, following a draw against Tripura in their final Group C league match at Agartala.

In 2000, Jammu and Kashmir had reached the knock-out stage of the Ranji Trophy for the first time by making it to the pre-quarterfinals.

The J&K team had taken the first innings lead and the draw was an expected result in Agartala. With three points from the tie, J&K ended tied on 28 points with Goa but qualified on the basis of their marginally better points quotient.

J&K had a quotient of 1.006 as against Goa's 1.005 after ending the fourth and final day at 87 for two while chasing 228

J&K will play against Punjab at Baroda from January 8.

 Union minister and J&K Cricket Association president Farooq Abdullah complimented the state cricket team for reaching the last-eight for the first time.

"This is the hard work of the boys and able guidance coach Bishan Singh Bedi," Abdullah said.

He expressed hope that the boys would be doing good job in the quarter-final against Punjab at the Moti Baug ground in Baroda from January 8-12.

In his message to J&K Ranji team captain Parveez Rasool, Farooq Abdullah said, "I am very happy to know that our team has qualified for the quarterfinal in Ranji Trophy tournament.

"I congratulate you (Rasool) and other members of the team for this historic achievement," Abdullah said.

"I hope and pray for your success in forthcoming matches as well. My good wishes (to you)," he said.

Abdullah also congratulated JKCA Working Committee members, coaches and support staff on the success of the state cricket team.

J&K makes it to Ranji Trophy quarters for first time

J&K makes it to Ranji Trophy quarters for first time

Agartala: Jammu and Kashmir cricket team today created history by reaching the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals for the first time after their Group C encounter against Tripura ended in a draw here today.

The J&K team entered the last eight stage by virtue of their first innings lead, which earned them three crucial points. They ended tied on 28 points with Goa but qualified on the basis of their marginally better points quotient.

J&K had a quotient of 1.006 as against Goa's 1.005 after the valley team ended the fourth and final day at 87 for two in a chase of 228.

In the 2001-01 season, which was held under a different format, the J&K team had qualified for the knockout stage but at that time they had reached the pre-quarterfinals, losing to Odisha by a massive 420-run margin.

J&K will now square off against Punjab at Baroda from January 8.

It was a remarkable achievement for the J&K team considering that many formidable sides such as seven-time champions Delhi, two-time winners Rajasthan, last year's finalists Saurashtra and Gujarat failed to make it to the knockout stage.

The hosts began the day at a solid 103 for two but were all out for 272 as spinner Perveez Rasool claimed seven wickets at the expense of 87 runs.

Tripura's overnight batsmen Abhijit Dey (63), Kaushal Acharjee (35) began cautiously and had extended their partnership to 78 runs but Rasool dismissed both in a gap of four overs.

After that skipper Yogesh Takawale (28) and Manisankar Murasingh (37) resisted the J&K attack for some time but eventually they were bundled out for 272 runs on the board.

The visitors then lost Adil Rishi (1) and Ian Dev Singh (9) cheaply but Bandeep Singh (37) and Perveez Rasool (35) batted well after that and easily drew the game.

Brief Scores:

Tripura 280 and 272 in 103.5 overs.(Abhijit Dey 63, Kaushik Acharjee 35; Perveez Rasool 7/87).

Jammu and Kashmir: 325 and 87 for 2 in 25 overs.(Perveez Rasool 37 not out, Bandeep Singh 37; Manisankar Murasingh 1/12).