Amit Pagnis with an attractive attacking innings of 96 with 16 fours off just 127 balls took the honours as Railways piled up 342 for five on the first day of the Ranji Trophy pre-quarter-final against Maharashtra at the Poona club, Pune on Saturday.

Railways scored runs at a healthy rate as they had the Maharastra bowling at their mercy. Openers Pagnis and SB Bangar (16) put on 45 runs for the first wicket before the latter was caught behind by SM Kondhalkar off the bowling of MS Kulkarni.

TP Singh and Pagnis added 154 runs for the second wicket in 28.3 overs. Singh made 77 runs off just 83 balls, smashing 12 fours and a six before being bowled by MV Sane. Pagnis was caught by Sane off the bowling of Iqbal Siddiqui to reduce Railways to 199/3.

Yerre Goud and captain Abhay Sharma added 93 runs for the fourth wicket. Goud made 49 runs off 105 balls, striking ten strokes past the ropes. Goud was caught by JS Narse off the bowling of SV Aradhye at the score of 292. Railways lost their fifth wicket without any addition to the total, Aradhye dismissing S Sahu for a nought.

Abhay Sharma with an unbeaten 53 off 123 balls with five boundaries and SN Khanolkar on an unbeaten 28 have added 50 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket to take Railways to a healthy score at close of play.

© CricInfo