Assam upset Bengal

Our Sports Reporter

Guwahati: Promising batsman Riyan Parag led from the front and guided Assam to a stunning victory against Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Cricket held in Kolkata today. Assam won the game by 13 runs.

After the first three games of the competition think tank of Assam decided to drop Rishav Das from the captaincy and the responsibility was handed over to Riyan today. He justified the decision.

New captain first played an attractive unbeaten knock of 77 runs and later also picked up two wickets with the ball. He got good support from Denish Das and Pritam Das in the game.

The start of the day was not perfect for Assam as opener Rishav Das returned without opening his account. But two good partnerships, both involving Riyan Parag, helped Assam to put 157-5 in their 20 overs.

Riyan and Denish Das on the third-wicket partnership added 76 runs while later sixth wicket unbeaten partnership between Riyan and Erik Roy produced another 47.

Riyan, who is in good touch in the competition, played another solid knock. This time he remained not out on 77 (54 balls, 4X5, 6x5), his third half centuries in the season. Denish Das (34) was the second highest scorer in the innings while Pallv Kumar Das and Erik Roy, who made debut today, contributed 20 and 19 (no) runs respectively.

Chasing 158 runs to win Bengal started very well and were once in good position scoring 103-2 in 12.3 overs. But once Maonj Tiwari (33) got out on this score Assam made strong comeback and did not give Bengal any chance to make comeback. Host lost last five wickets for just 12 runs and was restricted to 144-8 in their 20 overs.

Pacer Pritam Das (3-27) and Riyan Parag (2-28) were the most successful bowler for Assam while Bengal captain Anustup Majumdar remained not out on 48.

In their last game Assam will now face Odisha on Monday.

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