Veteran bat Jacob Martin made 88 before being run out to guide Railways to a three-wicket win over Rajasthan in a low-scoring Central Zone Ranji one-dayer at the Daly College Ground, Indore on Saturday.

In the morning, Rajasthan captain PR Krishnakumar elected to bat after winning the toss. But the loss of his two openers with no score on the board in the very first over meant that he was ruing his decision soon. Sadly for him, there was to be no quick recovery at hand as the slump continued, leaving his side at 51-5 by the end of the 20th over.

Nikhil Doru (72 off 134 balls)and Afroz Khan (30 off 55), though, got together at this stage to save their team from further embarrassment. Their fifth wicket stand of 72 from 20.1 overs was not the most fluent exhibition of batting but it played a vital part in steering Rajasthan to a competitive total. With wicketkeeper RB Jhalani chipping in a with a rapid unbeaten 36 off 35 balls, his team was able to post 184-9 in their 50 overs despite Railways medium-pacer Harvinder Singh claiming 5-45 off 10 overs.

Railways, in reply, got off to a relatively brisk start but the loss off wickets at regular intervals meant that they were pegged back to 94-4 in the 27th over. Martin and Shreyas Khanolkar, however, got together at this stage to piece together a vital 78-run fifth wicket stand. While Martin farmed most of the strike, Khanolkar made the 22 deliveries he faced count. By the time the latter was out for 27, Railways, then, were on the doorsteps of victory.

A few minor hiccups delayed the inevitable, but after losing two more wickets - Martin the last of them after a 120-ball knock studded with eight fours - the Railwaymen sealed their three-wicket win with 10 overs to spare. Off-spinner Rahul Kanwat and captain Krishnakumar, with three and two wickets respectively, were the men who ensured that Rajasthan went down with their heads held high.

Railways were rewarded with four points for their efforts.

Madhya Pradesh brush Vidarbha aside despite Paradkar ton

An unbeaten ton from debutant middle-order bat Ranjit Paradkar failed to prevent Vidarbha from receiving a seven-wicket thrashing at the hands of Madhya Pradesh in another Central Zome Ranji one-dayer played at the Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground, Indore on Saturday.

After Vidarbha won the toss and decided to bat in the morning, they were in some strife when medium-pacer S Pandey claimed three top-order wickets. By the 18th over, they had been reduced to 92-5. But a determined Paradkar found an ally in HV Shitoot at this juncture. The duo put on 63 runs before Shitoot fell for a well-made 36 off 55 balls, a knock that included four boundaries.

With wickets tumbling after this, Paradkar was forced to turn aggressor. Fortunately for him, last man AM Piprode (19* off 23) hung around for long enough to help 59 runs to be plundered off the last 46 balls. The duo's efforts helped Vidarbha post a respectable 245-9 in 50 overs. Paradkar returned to a rousing reception from his mates after an unconquered 103 off 104 balls with 13 fours and one six.

But his joy was short-lived as Madhya Pradesh began to cruise towards the target. With opener NV Ojha (54), D Bundela (54) and S Abbas Ali (67 off just 51 balls) all making half-centuries and M Pasha and skipper Amay Khuraisya making 30s, their team overhauled the target with seven wickets and over 11 overs to spare. Madhya Pradesh, then, gained five points from the win.

© CricInfo