Hubballi, February 26 Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi bowled a brilliant opening spell that dismantled Karnataka's top order, keeping his side within striking distance of a historic Ranji Trophy title, reducing the hosts to 220 for five here on Thursday.
J&K had posted 584 in their first innings and had all the batsmen out on the third day.
The 29-year-old bowled a devastating spell, taking 3 for 32 in 14 overs, including nine consecutive overs in the first spell, which rattled some of the well-known names in Indian cricket.
Nabi got the first wicket by dismissing KL Rahul.
He then struck twice in two balls to put Karnataka in further trouble. First, he dismissed India international Karun Nair with a delivery that angled in and went away after pitching to knock off the top of the off stump, and then, he dismissed the in-form Smaran Ravichandran in the very next ball.
Veteran Mayank Agarwal (130 batting; 207 balls) consolidated in the final session with a resolute defensive technique, keeping Jammu and Kashmir waiting. He also got lucky, surviving a chance when he was dropped on 124.
Despite his resistance, Karnataka were still trailing by 364 runs at stumps and needed another 165 runs to avoid following on.
Jammu and Kashmir, having made their Ranji Trophy debut in 1959-60, reached their maiden semifinal and have continued their successful run in the final.
Nabi has been their standout performer throughout the campaign, and his day's haul took his season's tally to 58 wickets, just one short of Uttarakhand spinner Mayank Mishra's 59 scalps.
Brief Scores
Jammu and Kashmir 584; 173.1 overs (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Paras Dogra 70, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70; Prasidh Krishna 5/98). Karnataka 220/5; 69 overs (Mayank Agarwal 130 batting; Auqib Nabi 3/32).
