Soujan Biswas too hot for Sikkim

Bengal completed an impressive 222 run victory over Sikkim in the Vijay Merchant Trophy East Zone League Under-16 match on Sunday at the East Calcutta District Sports Council Ground, Calcutta. There was no joy for Sikkim other than winning the toss and asking Bengal to bat first. Bengal powered their way through to declare at 231/3 in 67 overs backed up by the brilliance of AS Garai who scored 100 in 178 balls. Garai was severe on Sikkim bowlers as he illuminated his innings with 17 shots to the fence. Garai was given good support by AS Choudhury (66 not out) as they added 119 for the third wicket in 30 overs.

Bengal bowlers were quickly on their job, reducing Sikkim to 40/2. Sikkim lost the last eight wickets for 37 runs and was bowled out for 102 in 55th over. Soujan Biswas had an amazing spell and finished with the awesome figures of 21-10-25-8. Bengal started their second innings with a comfortable lead of 129 runs. A third wicket stand of 128 between SM Ghosh and AS Choudhury finished all hopes of a Sikkim fight back. SM Ghosh played a strokeful innings and was unlucky to be dismissed for 96, just four short of a hundred. Ghosh was at the crease for 126 balls and hit 15 boundaries. Choudhury who had made an unbeaten 66 in the first innings made certain he got his century in the second knock. Choudhury blasted 16 fours to reach his score of 101 in 127 balls as Bengal declared their innings at 246/4 in 55 overs.

Sikkim had to make had to score 376 for a victory, which always looked impossible. Bengal started claiming wickets at regular intervals. Sikkim's tail wagged a little with Dawa Denzongpa making an unbeaten 45 in 145 balls and Sunam Tshering making 34. Soujan Biswas was again lethal as he picked 3/35 in 24.1 overs to complete his ten-wicket haul for the match. Bengal collected eight points and Sikkim went home with none.