Shahbaz rescued his team with the bat, coming out to the middle when East Zone were struggling at 138-5 on the opening day, and had just lost captain Ishan Kishan. The all-rounder stitched a 150-run partnership with Sudip Kumar Gharami (146) and then added 103 for the sixth wicket with Anukul Roy (37).
Shahbaz also shepherded the tail to help his team post a mammoth 467, while staying in the middle for more than 80 overs. He was the last player to be dismissed, but not before scoring a career-best 167, featuring 17 fours and four sixes. This was his third first-class hundred.
He wasn’t done though, keeping the North East Zone batting in check as they were bowled out for 111 in only 42.5 overs. Shahbaz, with his left-arm spin, finished with figures of 3-20 in his 10 overs, supporting Abhijit Sarkar superbly, who picked up a five-wicket haul and conceded only 20 runs.
A tremendous knock under pressure 💪
Watch 📽️ highlights of Shahbaz Ahmed's wonderful knock of 167(244) vs North East Zone
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/XJFhfvvTIU#DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/baoHtnoFZB
Notably, the all-rounder made his international debut in an ODI against South Africa in October 2022 and played three games in the format. He has also played two T20Is, both of which came at the 2023 Asian Games, but hasn't featured for India since.
As for the Duleep Trophy clash, East Zone enforced follow-on on North East Zone, who finished Day 2 at 7-0, still trailing by 349 runs.
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