Shaw stars in Board XI win

Batting first Board President’s XI scored 295 for 9 in 50overs and then bowled out the tourists for 265 in 47.4 overs. Facing a senior international side for the first time, local boy Prithvi scored 66 off 80 balls with nine boundaries and a six, putting up 147 for the opening stand with KL Rahul, who contributed 68 off 75 balls.

Karun Nair also got some form going his way with 78 off64 balls. Shahbaz Nadeem, who has had a good A series against New Zealand recently, once again had the best figures of 3/41 while defending the target. Just like their A team, the senior stars also looked clueless against the Indian tweakers. But it was Shaw, who stole the show. 

Rahul got a ‘life’ on 41, after he was caught deep square leg off a no-ball by Southee and then bought up his 50 off 62 balls.

Rahul threw his wicket away in the 26th over, after being caught by substitute Nicholls at short-fine leg off IshSodhi. Prithvi, who brought up his 50 in 62 balls and finally gave Henry Nicholls a catch at long off, with Mitchell Santner getting his first wicket.

Karun, who struck 12 boundaries, mainly lofted drives, before being caught at wide long off by Colin Munro off Kiwi pacer Trent Boult, who ended with figures of 5/38. When the Black Caps batted, Martin Guptill hit a quickfire 20-ball-22 before being dismissed. His partner, Colin Munro (26 of 41 balls) conjured a 69-run second-wicket stand with skipper Kane Williamson (47 off49 balls) who studded seven fours in his innings. Nearing team total of 100, Munro spooned a catch to Prithvi off Nadeem. Williamson, too, didn’t last long with Karn Sharma holding on to a return catch. New Zealand was left struggling at 107 for 3.  

Tom Latham (59 off 63 balls), who usually opens the batting, came in at number 5. He had a 73-run stand with No 4 Ross Taylor(32 off 47 balls). In the 36th over, Khan stuck removing well-settled Ross Taylor, who nicked to Pant and after that the Kiwis lost wickets at regular intervals. Latham tried to sweep Gurkeerat Mann, giving a dolly to Khan at deep square leg. 

Brief scores: BP XI 295/9 (Prithvi Shaw 66, Karun Nair 78, KL Rahul 68). New Zealand 265 in 47.4 overs (Kane Williamson 47, Tom Latham 59, Shahbaz Nadeem 3/41)