Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: NFRSA delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat Kokrajhar by an innings and 36 runs in the semifinal of the Nuruddin Senior Inter-District Cricket Tournament at Nehru Stadium today. With both batters and bowlers contributing significantly, NFRSA secured their place in the final in dominant fashion.
In the other semifinal being played at Judges Field, Guwahati took firm control of the match against Tezpur, gaining a 123-run first innings lead and reducing Tezpur to 106/4 in their second innings by stumps on Day 2.
At the Nehru Stadium, NFRSA, in reply to Kokrajhar 1st innings total 99, finished their first innings 212, with Sibsankar Roy leading the batting charge. Roy scored a fine 92 off 127 balls, striking eight boundaries and two sixes. He was well supported by Sidharth Mitra, Kirti Azad, and Sumit Kashyap, the trio contributed 23 runs each.
With the ball, Anirudha Rai stood out for Kokrajhar, taking 3 wickets for 36 runs, while Md. Mudassir Khan and Dhrubajyoti Das claimed two wickets each.
Kokrajhar faltered again in their second innings, bundled out for a paltry 77. Abhilash Gogoi was sensational, picking up 5 wickets for just 13 runs and finishing the match with figures of 8/43. Swarupam Purkayastha also impressed, taking 4 wickets for 27. Ashim Das was the top scorer for Kokrajhar in the second innings with 20 runs.
Meanehile Guwahati today resumed their first innings from the overnight score of 73/0 and went on to post 249 in 75.4 overs. Sumit Ghadigaonkar top-scored with a solid 72 off 115 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and a six. Subham Mandal added 68 (4X11), while Rajveer Singh chipped in with 37. Sidharth Sarmah was the pick of the bowlers for Tezpur, taking 4/62, while Rabi Chetry grabbed 2/85.
In their second innings, Tezpur once again struggled, reaching 106/4 in 38 overs at the close of day II. Anurag Talukdar provided some resistance, remaining unbeaten on 35 with five boundaries. Avinav Choudhury took two wickets, while Ayushman Malakar and Kunal Sarma claimed one each.
Tezpur still trail Guwahati by 17 runs and face a tough task to avoid an outright defeat.
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