Ranji Trophy: Assam thrash Tripura

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam registered first win of this season’s Ranji Trophy by thrashing Tripura 211 runs at Agartala on Thursday. Chasing 428 runs to win the home team were bowled out at 216 in their second innings. Young pacer Mukhtar bagged 5-73.

Although it was a team effort which gave easy victory to Assam but the important point is that young cricketers of the side contributed equally in the victory. If Riyan Parag scored quick fire 80 in the second innings promising pacer Mukhtar Hussain produced fantastic spells in both the innings and finished the match 9-116.

Assam almost confirmed victory in the game on the third day itself when Tripura reduced to 68-4 in their second innings. However two overnight not out batsmen Pratyush Singh and Bravish played cautiously in the morning and tried to give a steadiness in Tripura’s innings. The partnership was broken by Mukhtar when he bowled Pratyush (22) and thereafter host lost wickets on regular interval and finally bowled out 216.

Many batsmen of the home team made good start in the second innings but failed to sustain too long on the wicket.

Assam pacers made splendid performance in the match. The Trio-Arup, Mukhtar and Ranjeet- bagged all 20 wickets that Tripura lost in the game. In the first innings Arup bagged five, Mukhtar four and remaining wicket was collected by Ranjeet. In the second innings, Mukhtar got good support from Ranjeet Mali (3-52) and Arup Das (2-57).

After the second round Assam are now placed in fourth place in group ‘C’ points table. The side collected seven points from their two outings.

In the next game Assam will face Odisha from November 20. The match, which is first home game for Assam in the season, will be held at ACA stadium, Barsapara.

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