Hubli, Feb 27 (NationPress) In the Ranji Trophy final at Hubli Cricket Ground, Jammu and Kashmir reached a score of 186/4 at stumps on Day 4, with opener Qamran Iqbal remaining not out on 94. This performance has extended their overall lead to 477 runs against the eight-time champions, Karnataka.

At day's end, Sahil Lotra was on 16, providing crucial support as J&K inched closer to a potential historic victory.

Resuming the final session at 89/3, J&K displayed aggressive intent. Both Abdul Samad and Qamran scored swiftly, notching up four boundaries within the first three overs.

Qamran reached his half-century with a boundary off Vidyadhar Patil in the 33rd over, achieving the milestone in 89 balls. He then accelerated the scoring, applying pressure on Karnataka.

However, Karnataka struck back in the 44th over when Shreyas Gopal dismissed Samad for 32 from 70 balls, during which Samad hit four fours and one six.

Following Samad's wicket, Qamran took it upon himself to face more deliveries, shielding the new batter, Sahil. A brief exchange occurred between Qamran and Vijay Kumar Vyshak after a sharp bouncer in the 49th over, but Qamran remained focused and resolute.

Ending the day on 94, he is just six runs shy of a century, as J&K solidified their position in the match.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka bowled effectively during the morning session, reducing J&K to 11/2 by Lunch. Prasidh Krishna and Vijay Kumar Vyshak bowled with discipline while the fielders maintained relentless pressure.

Qamran and captain Paras Dogra stabilized the innings with a 61-run partnership, but Dogra fell victim to Krishna's sharp delivery.

Qamran later formed another partnership with Abdul Samad as J&K reached 89/3 at Tea.

J&K began the day strongly by breaking the partnership between Karnataka batters Mayank Agarwal and Kruthik Krishna. Sahil dismissed Kruthik in the 78th over, followed by Sushil Kumar getting rid of Vidyadhar Patil in the 84th over, leaving Karnataka at 256/7.

Mayank Agarwal continued to battle on and scored 160 off 266 balls, striking 21 fours. He survived several chances before being dismissed in the 91st over by Auqib Nabi.

Auqib completed his five-wicket haul by taking out Shikhar Shetty, while Yudhvir Singh claimed the final wicket as Karnataka was bowled out for 293, giving J&K a significant 291-run first-innings lead.

With just one day left, Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a commanding advantage and is on the verge of clinching their first-ever Ranji Trophy title.

Brief scores (stumps, Day 4):

Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out & 186/4 in 57 overs (Qamran Iqbal 94 not out, Abdul Samad 32, Sahil Lotra 16 not out; Prasidh Krishna 2-42) lead Karnataka 293 all out in 93.3 overs (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54, Sushil Kumar 2-51, Yudhwir Singh Charak 2-55) by 477 runs