Uttar Pradesh's Under-19 cricket team has successfully secured a berth in the pre-quarterfinals of the prestigious Cooch Behar Trophy. Their final group stage match against Bengal ended in a draw at the SRMS Cricket Ground in Bareilly on Friday, with adverse weather playing a decisive role in the outcome.
Fog Forces Final Day Washout
The fourth and final day of the four-day encounter was completely abandoned without a single ball being bowled. Dense fog and severely poor visibility rendered play impossible. This weather disruption followed earlier losses, with nearly two full days of the fixture being wiped out due to similar adverse conditions. The persistent fog made the prospect of an outright victory for either side highly unlikely from the outset.
First-Innings Lead Proves Decisive
Despite the weather interruptions, Uttar Pradesh managed to secure three crucial points from the drawn match. This was achieved on the basis of a first-innings lead, which they secured on the third day of play. Bengal had been bowled out for 171 in their first innings. In response, UP posted a total of 216 for 8 before their innings was declared, giving them a vital 45-run lead.
Road to the Knockouts
With this result, Uttar Pradesh concluded their pool league campaign with an impressive record. The team registered three wins, one draw, and one loss across their matches. This performance allowed them to accumulate a total of 22 points, which was sufficient to seal their qualification for the knockout stage of the tournament. The pre-quarterfinal matches are scheduled to commence on December 24.
Speaking about the team's performance and the weather hurdles, UP team manager Vinay Kumar shared his thoughts. "We could have won this match if fog had not interfered," he stated. "However, we are happy to have qualified for the knockout stage." His comments highlight the team's confidence and slight disappointment at being denied a potential victory by factors beyond their control.
The team will now shift its focus to the upcoming pre-quarterfinal clash, aiming to continue their journey in the national Under-19 tournament.
