Hosts Bengal secured five points by virtue of their first innings lead to take the third position in the zone as their Ranji Trophy match against Bihar ended in a tame draw at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday. Bengal with 18 points finished behind Orissa (29) and Assam (19).

Resuming at 16 for one after being forced to follow on, Bihar opener Nikhilesh Ranjan struck an unbeaten 126 and put on a valuable 159-run second wicket partnership with captain Rajiv Kumar (82) to guide the team to safety.

Despite being under pressure, the Bihar batsmen rose to the task and batted confidently to reach 302 for three before play was called off without the completion of the mandatory overs.

The two overnight batsmen Nikhilesh Ranjan and Rajiv Kumar never looked in trouble at all on a good batting track as they negotiated the pacemen and spinners with ease to thwart Bengal's advantage.

Ranjan struck as many as 19 boundaries during his long 371-minute stay at the crease while Kumar slammed ten boundaries during his knock which lasted 216 minutes.

Tariqur Rehman, who joined the action after Kumar's departure, also gave good support to Ranjan with a patient 32. Sunil Kumar (52 not out) was the other notable contributor for the visitors.

With veteran spinner Utpal Chatterjee not bowling after the lunch break due to an injury and Laxmi Ratan Shukla not taking the field on disciplinary grounds, the Bengal bowling lacked sting.

© PTI