East Zone still need 72 to take the first innings lead over Central Zone at the end of the second day's play of the Vijay Hazare Trophy Under-16 tournament match at the RSI Grounds in Bangalore on Monday. In reply to Central Zone's 270, East Zone were 199 for 5.

East did not have a happy beginning to their first innings as they lost opener Ajay Gorai (10) in the fifth over with the score on 15. Ajith Singh (22) joined M Biswas (77) and both the batsmen forged a 59 run second wicket partnership before the lefthanded Singh was sent back by SK Shukla in the 31st over. Singh was out caught by A Alam off Shukla. New batsman A Iqbal (1) lasted only for six balls and was dismissed caught by SK Shukla in the first slip off Praveen Gupta.

Biswas then steadied the ship with a 61 run fourth wicket with SP Priyadarshan (41). Priyadarshan looked set for a long innings was bowled by A Yadav in the 57th over. Rakesh Mohanty joined Biswas and the pair added 49 runs for the fifth wicket before the well settled Biswas fell to A Yadav giving SK Shukla his second catch of the innings at first slip. During a 288 minute stay at the crease Biswas faced 206 balls and hit eleven fours. Rakesh Mohanty (31) and Bignesh Mohanty (5) were manning the crease for East Zone.

Earlier, the Central Zone innings was prolonged for a further 12.1 overs. Gaurav Tikkas (78) in the company of Devendra Singh (9) added 29 more runs for the last wicket to take the score to 270. Tikkas was the last batsman to be dismissed when he gave a return catch to Rakesh Mohanty. A Iqbal (4 for 37) and Rakesh Mohanty (3 for 53) were the pick of the East attack.

© CricInfo