Assam defeat Sikkim by seven wickets

Assam needed just 26.5 overs in their second innings to overhaul the target of 104 set by Sikkim while losing only three wickets in the East Zone league of the Vijay Merchant Trophy Under-16 tournament match at the Nurul Amin Stadium at Guwahati on Sunday.

Opting to bat on the first day (Friday), Sikkim were reduced to 142 in under 57 overs. P Bhagat (3 for 24), T Dey (3 for 21) and SI Choudhury (3 for 26) combined to run through the Sikkim line up. Amlesh Kumar (30) was the top scorer for the hosts. In response, Assam took a valuable 59-run lead. At the start of the innings, Assam were in deep trouble when the scoreboard read 5 for 3 in the seventh over. But a 88-run fourth wicket stand between opener MP Aziz (32) and SI Choudhury (47) initiated a recovery process. Thereafter Assam lost wickets at regular intervals but they were helped along by some useful contributions by S Barman (49) and I Nawaz (36).

Sikkim in their second innings fared no better and were all out for 162. Amlesh Kumar top scored the second time around with 43 runs. Bhagat (3 for 27), Mahanta (3 for 24) and Shubh (3 for 18) shared the spoils for Assam. Assam hit the required runs with consummate ease with opener MP Aziz leading the way with a unbeaten 52.

Meanwhile at the Eden Gardens, also on Sunday, Bengal and Tripura settled for a draw in their under-16 match. Bengal needing 133 for a win in 30 overs on the final day scored 92 for no loss off 28 overs when stumps were drawn. Openers AS Chowdhury (37) and M Biswas (52) remained unbeaten at the end.

Opting to bat on the opening day, Tripura were skittled out for just 146. The openers Bappa Das (62) and skipper B Bowmick (40) added 87 runs. Then the score proceeded to 125 with the help of Das and D Choudhury (15). But the fall of Das triggered a sharp collapse and none of the other batsmen reached double figures. Paul (4 for 25), Sanyal (3 for 29) and SS Biswas (3 for 50) shared the wickets for Bengal.

In reply Bengal had a relatively easy outing and declared their innings at 206 for 4. The openers AS Garai (56) and M Biswas (52) added 103 runs in 38 overs. Then SM Ghosh (54) along with AS Choudhury (31) helped the score along to 196.

Tripura in their second innings were all out for 192. The innings revolved around a fine 110 by J Choudhury. During a 272-minute stay at the crease, Choudhury faced 221 balls and hit 15 fours.

In the third East Zone Under-16 league match at the Keenan Stadium at Jamshedpur, Bihar and Orissa also played out a draw on Sunday. Orissa batted out the whole of the third and final day scoring 346 in their first innings. A match that was dominated by the batsmen saw Bihar opting to bat and getting 365 in their first innings. The innings was held together by a fine 111 by skipper A Iqbal. He shared a 168-run fifth wicket stand with Kundan Kumar (79). Then Ajay Mishra (40) boosted the score past the 350 mark.

It was opener Priyadarshi Debasish who came good for Orissa with a sedate 116. He shared a 118-run third wicket partnership with SP Priyadarshan (69). Thereafter, the Orissa tail wagged merrily to take the score to 346. Stumps were drawn after the 12th mandatory over on the third day.