Bihar and Orissa settle for draw

The East Zone Cooch Behar Trophy match at the Engineering College Ground in Cuttack witnessed a high scoring match where Orissa and Bihar had to settle for a draw on the third and final day on Sunday. Orissa took five points due to their first innings lead while Bihar had to be content with three.

Opting to bat on the opening day, Orissa ran up a huge 342 with S Biswal (102) helping himself to a fine century. Biswal in the company of Rakesh Mohanty (94) put on 118 runs for the sixth wicket. Bihar in reply, batted through the second day and were finally all out for 317, giving a slender 25 run lead for Orissa. Amir Hashmi with an unbeaten 124 was the top scorer. Orissa in their second innings were reduced to 103 with Mihir Diwakar (4 for 16) picking up the lower order wickets.

Bihar were set to score 129 for a win in just nine overs. By the time stumps were drawn they had scored 46 runs while losing both the openers.