India A vs New Zealand A First Match Ends in a Draw
The first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A ended in a draw after bad light halted play in Lincoln, with Devdutt Padikkal and Auqib Nabi starring.
Bad light had the final say in the first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A in Lincoln, as the hosts walked away with a draw on Tuesday. Opening batter Curtis Heaphy anchored the rescue effort with a gritty 90-run unbeaten knock to deny the visitors.
India A, led by Dhruv Jurel, staged a remarkable recovery in the series opener after getting bundled out for 113 in their first innings. Devdutt Padikkal emerged as the standout batter, hammering 199 in the second innings to help set a target in excess of 300.
Resuming overnight, India A were dismissed for 516 after facing just 25 deliveries as Washington Sundar scored 52 and Mukesh Choudhary made 2, leaving New Zealand A a target of 313 runs. Pacer Auqib Nabi immediately ripped through the top order, dismissing Rhys Mariu, Tim Robinson and Matthew Boyle in quick succession.
Despite the early blows, Curtis Heaphy and Dean Foxcroft added 78 runs for the fourth wicket to restore stability. Mukesh Choudhary broke the partnership by removing Foxcroft for 42, reducing the hosts to 91/4.
India A continued chipping away at the batting lineup with regular breakthroughs as Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep and Washington Sundar claimed one wicket each. Devdutt Padikkal surprisingly chipped in with the ball as well, picking up two wickets by dismissing Fraser Sheat and Zak Gibson.
Left reeling at 170/9, New Zealand A relied on Heaphy and last man Jayden Lennox to frustrate the bowling attack. With 18 overs still remaining in the day, umpires called off the match due to fading light, bringing an end to the contest.