Bihar snatch narrow lead

A keen duel for the first innings lead highlighted the second day's play in the East Zone Ranji Trophy league match between Bihar and Assam at the Keenan stadium in Jamshedpur on Thursday. Ultimately, amidst some excitement, the home team managed to get a lead of 11 runs.

Assam, replying to Bihar's 258, were given a good start with openers PK Das (22) and SB Saikia (19) putting on 45 runs off 12.5 overs. Skipper SZ Zuffri (37) and T Rehman (22) then kept the momentum by adding 47 runs for the third wicket off 16 overs. A middle order collapse however saw Assam slide to 134 for six. However tailenders R Borah (39), VR Samant (43), O Singh (26) and GD Dutta (19 not out) renewed Assam's hopes of taking the lead. But Vikash Kumar (5 for 98) and Avinash Kumar (4 for 74) managed to get a slender lead for Bihar.

In their second innings, Bihar made a poor start losing N Ranjan with only two runs on the board. But D Chakraborthy and A Hashmi added 45 runs for the unbroken second wicket as Bihar closed at 47 for one.