Jaipur: Mohammad Kaif slammed an unbeaten 119 as Rajasthan President's XI pulled off a narrow five-run win in the practice match against England at Jaipur to seize back some of the initiative for the hosts ahead of the One-Dayers.
Put in to bat, the local team made a competitive 260 for 6 in their stipulated 50 overs before bowling out the visitors for 255 in 49.5 overs for a thrilling finish at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Kaif starred in President's XI innings, hitting 10 fours in his 136-ball knock before spinners -- Piyush Chawala and Ramesh Powar -- entrapped Vikram Solanki's men in a spin web.
Ian Bell made a fine 71 and wicket-keeper Matt Prior stroked 51 but the tendency of the English side, playing without their key players, to lose wickets at regular intervals meant they were left with a stiff run chase at the death.
Needing 25 runs in the final over, Kabir Ali hit a six and a four off Piyush Chawla but at the other end Gareth Batty holed out to RP Singh and James Anderson was run out with just one ball to spare.
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