Parthiv's quick-fire 80 raises hopes of out-right win for Guj

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Captain Parthiv Patel continued his good form with the bat and scored a quick-fire 80 to raise Gujarat's hopes of an outright win against Madhya Pradesh at stumps on the penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Group A Match on Sunday.

Besides Parthiv's 80, debutant opener Smit Patel (60) scored his maiden half century, while Niraj Patel made a patient 59 as Gujarat declared their second innings at 301 for six, thereby setting a target of mammoth 407 runs for Madhya Pradesh to chase for an outright win.

Jalaj Saxena (2/83) and right-arm pacer Amit Sharma (2/57) picked up two wickets apiece for MP.

In pursuit of the target, Madhya Pradesh were 23 for no loss off seven overs in their second essay at stumps on day three. The hosts still trail Gujarat by 383 runs with a complete day's play remaining.

MP's all 23 runs in the second innings came from the bat of wicket-keeper Naman Ojha who is unbeaten along with Satyam Choudhary.

Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 212 for eight, MP added another 38 runs before being bowled out for 250 in reply to Gujarat's 355.

Medium pacer Mehul Patel shone with the ball for Gujarat with figures of four for 37, while Amit Singh chipped in with three wickets for 54 runs.

Brief Scores: Gujarat: 355 and 301 for six decl in 71 overs (Parthiv Patel 80, Smit Patel 60, Niraj Patel 59; Amit 2/57, Jalaj Saxena 2/83).

Madhya Pradesh: 250 and 23 for no loss in seven overs (Naman Ojha 23).