Vizianagaram: Andhra thwarted Kerala's hopes of ending the season on a high as they managed an exciting draw in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match here on Monday. The hosts, who conceded a first innings lead of 242, finished on 189/9.
Shoaib Mohammed Khan kept out 93 balls for his unbeaten 11 and kept Kerala at bay in the company of No. 11 Penmetsa Raju (0 not out). The pair played out 5.1 overs amid mounting pressure.
Kerala, who bagged three points, ended in fourth spot with 17 points from seven matches. Andhra, who got one point, finished second behind Mumbai (37) with 26 points. Both Mumbai and Andhra had already sealed their place in the quarterfinals.
Andhra, who started the day on 19/1, lost K Maheep Kumar and captain Ricky Bhui in the morning session. Pacer Basil N P cleaned up Maheep for 13, while off-spinner Vaisakh Chandran sent back Bhui for one.
Ashwin Hebbar (72) and Karan Shinde (26) added 61 for the fourth wicket before Basil removed the latter in the post-lunch session.
Basil Thampi ended Hebbar's resistance. Hebbar's 165-ball knock contained 12 fours and a six.
Hanuma Vihari fell for five, while S K Rasheed fought hard with a 93-ball 34.
Thampi and Basil claimed three apiece, but Shoaib and Raju held firm to deny Kerala their second win of the season.
Brief scores: Andhra 272 & 189/9 in 97 overs (Ashwin Hebbar 72; Basil Thapi 3/36, Basil N P 3/43, Vaisakh Chandran 2/36) drew with Kerala 514/7 declared.
Points: Kerala 3; Andhra 1.
