Ranji Trophy: Meghalaya take huge lead vs Mizoram

A Reporter

SHILLONG: Meghalaya pulled out 206-run first innings lead on Day I of their Ranji Trophy plate group match against Mizoram at the MCA Cricket Ground here today.

This match was originally scheduled to begin on December 22, but the Meghalaya Cricket Association successfully appealed to the BCCI to bring it forward so that it did not overlap with Christmas.

Meghalaya won the toss and put the visitors in to bat and that decision paid dividends as they dismissed Mizoram for just 86 before lunch.

Guest/professional Gurinder Singh took 5/15 with his left-arm spin, while Abhay Negi (2/12) and Dipu Sangma (2/22) both picked up two wickets each. Aditya Singhania (1/19) also took one scalp for Meghalaya.

The hosts then had a fine time with the bat, scoring at 5.62 an over to finish the day on 292/4 in 52 overs. All six of the Meghalaya batsmen who batted today managed to get into double figures, though it was the guest/professionals who made the most of the fine and sunny conditions.

Yogesh Nagar hit 15 fours in his innings of 91 not out off just 84 deliveries, while Punit Bisht fell for 83 off 80 balls (13 fours, 1 six). This pair put on 112 runs for the fourth wicket.

Bisht's dismissal brought Gurinder to the crease and he made a run-a-ball 52 by the end of the day's play in an ongoing 107-run partnership with Nagar. Earlier Raj Biswa made 27 at the top of the order, while L Chettri (19) and captain Jason Lamare (13) also made a few runs before losing their wickets.

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