Shami’s five-for puts Bengal on brink of bonus point win

India pacer Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul put Bengal on the verge of an outright victory with a bonus point against Services on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match here on Saturday.

Shami returned impressive figures of 16-3-51-5, tearing through the Services batting line-up as the visitors were reduced to 231 for eight in their second innings, still trailing by 102 runs.

Bengal had earlier posted a massive 519 in their first innings before dismissing Services for just 186, taking a commanding first-innings lead of 333 runs.

With only two wickets left and a big deficit to overhaul, Services are staring at an inevitable defeat, while Bengal are well placed to secure full points from the match.

Shami’s fiery spell once again underlined his importance to the Bengal attack as the hosts tightened their grip on the contest.