Auqib Nabi has challenged the batters on both edges: Mayank Agarwal

HUBBALLI: A century in a Ranji Trophy final is special for any cricketer, but for Karnataka opener Mayank Agarwal it proved to be bittersweet. The seasoned batter produced a fine 160, yet with Jammu and Kashmir piling up 584 in their first innings, he found little support from the rest of his team’s famed top order to keep the contest alive.Mayank was generous in his praise for Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi, whose incisive spells were central to the visitors’ success. “Nabi has bowled outstandingly throughout the season. He deserves the credit, and the wickets column shows that,” Mayank said.

Elaborating on the 29-year-old pacer’s effectiveness, he added: “He has challenged the batters on both edges and maintained very tight lines, which keeps you under constant pressure.”Despite trailing by 477 runs with Jammu and Kashmir still holding six wickets in hand, Mayank insisted that Karnataka had not given up hope. “We know we are behind. We’re going to come out in the morning, give our best and see what happens from there,” he added.