By virtue of their first innings lead of 112 runs over North Zone, Central Zone moved into the final of the CK Nayudu Trophy (under-19) tournament at the BOS Engineering ground in Cuttack on Friday. They now meet South Zone in the final which commences on January 28.

North Zone, who resumed at 198 for six in their first innings, faced an uphill task in the face of Central Zone's 343. Medium pacer CE Atram never gave them a chance of even getting anywhere near the Central Zone total. He took three quick wickets and North Zone were dismissed for 231. Attram finished with six wickets for 58 off 19 overs.

In the remaining time, Central Zone had good batting practice before the final. Skipper A Kapoor and SM Dholpure both hit centuries, adding 209 runs for the second wicket off 47.3 overs. While Kapoor, who opened the batting, faced 150 balls for his 103 and hit 17 fours, Dholpure who also scored 103, faced 153 balls and hit 12 fours and five sixes. Central Zone finished at 306 for five off 69 overs as eight North Zone bowlers turned their arm over.

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