Holders Central Zone, in the face of of an imposing North Zone total of 543, were struggling at 149 for three from 73 overs when rain stopped play shortly after tea on the third day of their Duleep Trophy semifinal at Guwahati on Saturday.

Resuming at 24 for one, Central lost Abbas Ali (31) who dominated the second wicket partnership of 48 off 18 overs with Jyoti Yadav. Manoj Mudgal (27) and Jyoti Yadav then added 63 runs for the third wicket off 40 overs. And shortly before the rain came down, Yadav and R Ali (25) had increased the score by 38 runs during an unbroken fourth wicket association that has lasted 14.4 overs. At the truncated end, Yadav who had opened the batting on Friday evening, had faced 195 balls for his unbeaten 58, hitting five fours.

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