Former Indian captain Md Azharuddin continued his good form with the bat by scoring 56 in Hyderabad's first innings against Kerala on the second day of the match at Kozhikode today. He batted 106 minutes, faced 84 balls and hit six fours and a six. Good supporting knocks by MV Sridhar (35) and Vanka Pratap (41 not out) helped Hyderabad score 250 for eight wickets at stumps. This was in reply to Kerala's first innings total of 247 compiled on Wednesday. Hyderabad actually lost eight wickets for 211 but an unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 39 runs between Vanka Pratap and NP Singh (27) saw Hyderabad cross the Kerala score.

Valuable knocks by opener S Shankar (48), MP Sorab (35), Sunil Oasis (46) and B Ramprakash (34) helped Kerala to reach their modest total. The first day's honours however belonged to veteran off spinner Kanwaljit Singh who finished with six wickets for 91 off 29.3 overs. Former Test left arm spinner Venkatpathi Raju took three for 102 from 32 overs.

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