Duleep Trophy: East Zone crush North East Zone by innings and 210 runs in QF
Synopsis
East Zone made light work of North East Zone in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal, winning by an innings and 210 runs. Shahbaz Ahmed's 167 and Abhijit Sarkar's 5-for in the first innings set up the rout, before Anukul Roy's five-wicket haul finished the job — all while Mohammed Shami went wicketless across both innings on his domestic comeback.
Key Takeaways
East Zone beat North East Zone by an innings and 210 runs in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal in Bengaluru on 25 August .
Shahbaz Ahmed scored a commanding 167 off 244 balls with 17 fours and 4 sixes ; Sudip Kumar Gharami added 146 .
Abhijit Sarkar claimed 5 for 20 in the first innings; Anukul Roy took 5 for 37 in the second.
North East Zone were bowled out for 111 and 146 in their two innings.
India pacer Mohammed Shami went wicketless in both innings on his domestic season return.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi impressed as a youngster, taking two wickets in the second innings.
East Zone stormed into the Duleep Trophy semifinals with a commanding innings-and-210-run victory over North East Zone in the quarterfinal at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 25 August. A match-defining 167 from Shahbaz Ahmed and a five-wicket haul from Anukul Roy in the second innings sealed one of the most comprehensive wins of this year's tournament.
East Zone's Imposing First Innings
East Zone posted a mammoth 467 runs in their first innings, built on the back of two outstanding individual performances. Shahbaz Ahmed anchored the innings with a patient yet powerful 167 off 244 balls, laced with 17 fours and four sixes. Sudip Kumar Gharami complemented him brilliantly, contributing 146 off 185 balls with 25 fours and a six.
East Zone had been in trouble at 138 for five before Gharami and Shahbaz forged a match-turning partnership. After Gharami's dismissal, Shahbaz continued to press on, steering the side to a total that ultimately proved far beyond North East Zone's reach. Kumar Kushagra also chipped in with 55.
North East Zone Collapse in the First Innings
North East Zone struggled from the outset in their first innings, folding for just 111 in 42.5 overs. Abhijit Sarkar was the chief destroyer, returning exceptional figures of 5 for 20 in just 9.5 overs. Shahbaz Ahmed added three more scalps for 20 runs, further tightening East Zone's grip. Arpit Bhatewara top-scored with 32, while Rongsen Jonathan made 21 — the rest of the batting line-up offered little resistance.
Follow-On and Second Innings Collapse
Forced to follow on, North East Zone found themselves in early trouble again at 10 for one and never recovered momentum. Pheiroijam Jotin offered the most resistance with 39, while Akash Choudhary made 27 and Kishan Lyngdoh scored 25. The lower order crumbled, and the side were dismissed for 146 in 50 overs.
Anukul Roy was the standout bowler in the second innings, claiming 5 for 37 from 15 overs. He was well supported by teenage prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who took two wickets, while Mukesh Kumar and Sarkar picked up one each.
Shami's Quiet Outing — A Note of Concern
Amid the celebrations, one subplot stood out. India pacer Mohammed Shami, making his return to domestic cricket, went wicketless across both innings — a subdued start to his domestic season. The experienced pacer will be eager to find his rhythm ahead of the semifinal, where East Zone will face stiffer competition.
Brief Scores
East Zone 467 (Shahbaz Ahmed 167, Sudip Kumar Gharami 146, Kumar Kushagra 55; Pheiroijam Jotin 3-64, Akash Choudhary 3-102) beat North East Zone 111 & 146 (Pheiroijam Jotin 39, Akash Choudhary 27; Anukul Roy 5-37, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 2-11) by an innings and 210 runs.
East Zone advance to the Duleep Trophy semifinals, where they will look to carry this dominant form forward — and where Shami will hope to make a more telling contribution.
Point of View
Disciplined seam bowling, and a clinical follow-on enforcement. But the real story sits in the margins: Mohammed Shami's wicketless return raises questions about his match sharpness ahead of a potential India comeback. If India's selectors are watching domestic cricket for form signals, Shami's Bengaluru outing gives them little to work with. Meanwhile, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's two wickets in the second innings hint at a next-generation pacer worth tracking — a subplot that will be buried under the headline scoreline but deserves attention.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the East Zone vs North East Zone Duleep Trophy quarterfinal?
East Zone beat North East Zone by an innings and 210 runs in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal played on 25 August at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru. East Zone posted 467 in their first innings, then bowled North East Zone out for 111 and 146.
How did Shahbaz Ahmed perform in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal?
Shahbaz Ahmed scored 167 off 244 balls, hitting 17 fours and four sixes, to anchor East Zone's first-innings total of 467. He also took 3 for 20 with the ball in North East Zone's first innings.
Who took five wickets for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy QF?
Abhijit Sarkar claimed 5 for 20 in North East Zone's first innings, while Anukul Roy took 5 for 37 in the second innings after North East Zone were forced to follow on.
How did Mohammed Shami perform on his domestic season return?
Mohammed Shami went wicketless across both innings of the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal against North East Zone — a quiet start to his domestic season. He is expected to look for better returns in the upcoming semifinal.
Who are the standout youngsters from East Zone's Duleep Trophy win?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took two wickets in the second innings and was among the younger players to impress alongside the senior performers. His contribution was noted despite the match being dominated by Shahbaz Ahmed and Anukul Roy.
