Kochi: Kerala got to within reach of a crucial win, but had to settle for a draw against a resilient Karnataka in their Vijay Merchant under-16 cricket match in Chennai on Sunday .
Needing 118 to win from 22 overs, Kerala were poised for victory at 86 for 3 with 15 balls remaining when Likhit Bannur pulled them back with three strikes in quick succession.
At 89 for 6 it was only wise for Kerala to settle for a draw and walk away with three points for taking the lead in the first innings and Karnataka took a point from the match.
BRIEF SCORES: Karnataka 135 in 67.2 overs (Rishi 41, Jayesh 30, Akhil 4/35, Sijomon 3/38) & 227 in 107 overs (Rishi 84, Kishan Bedare 39 not out, Akhil 4/45, Fanoos 2/60) drew with Kerala 253 in 84.5 overs (Anand 150 n.o., Prem Sagar 28, Aditya Garg 4/53, Rishi 2/32) & 96/6 in 22 overs (Unnimon 35, Likhit Bannur 4/43)
