Lone Nasir’s maiden first-class fifty, helped Jammu & Kashmir secure an important first innings lead against the Rest of India in the ongoing Irani Cup.
Lone Nazir's maiden fifty hands J&K first innings lead
Nasir walked out to bat at No.10 after the dismissal of Sahil Lotra (2) in the 49th over of the first innings, with Jammu & Kashmir 71 runs short of Rest of India’s 237. He stitched a vital 64-run stand with skipper Paras Dogra, who scored a composed 143-ball 75, but fell with the score at 230-9, leaving a seven-run deficit. A first innings lead proves crucial in case a game ends in a draw, with the team that has taken the lead emerging as winners in knockout games.
With one wicket left and eight to overcome ROI's first innings total, Nasir maintained his composure at the other end, hitting a six and a four to convert J&K’s deficit into a lead. The 29-year-old, who also holds a List A fifty to his name, hit 17 runs off the first two legal balls of the 63rd over, taking him past the 50-run mark. He added 48 for the last wicket with Sunil Kumar, playing 21 out of the 28 deliveries after Dogra's wicket, before he was eventually dismissed for a 58-ball 64 with J&K taking a 41-run lead.
The all-rounder also managed three wickets in the first innings, getting rid of Shekhar Mohan, Sudip Gharami and Ravichandran Smaran. Notably, Nasir was not a part of J&K’s plans for the Irani Cup, and did not feature in their title-winning run in the Ranji Trophy last season. But with Auqib Nabi earning a call-up to the India ODI side, Nasir was drafted into the squad.
Walked in at No.10 👉 Played a blinder 👉 Secured the lead for J & K 🫡
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) October 2, 2026
🎥 Relive Lone Nasir Muzaffar's counter-attacking 64(58) 🔥
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/yLmHBGjsCe#IraniCup | @mflone_ pic.twitter.com/azzHiCzurh
Earlier in the game, Rest of India made their way to 237 after being put in to bat. Opener Mohan and Ravichandran Smaran were the only two batters who scored in excess of fifty, with Sarfaraz Khan scoring 45. Apart from Nasir’s three wickets, Sunil Kumar also scalped three, while Umar Nazir Mir bagged two.
In response, J&K were reduced to 37-4 before Abdul Samad (57), and Dogra resurrected the innings with a 101-run partnership. Mukesh Choudhary picked up a five-wicket haul for ROI. They ended day two on 24-1, still trailing by 17 runs.
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Image credits: BCCI Domestic / X
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