Guwahati, Feb. 4: Promising youngster Riyan Parag’s scintillating debut in senior tournaments went in vain as Ankurjyoti Club went down to hosts Bud Cricket Club by 76 runs in a Group B match of the Spinner 10,000 Jugal Kishore Newatia XIth Bud Challenge Cricket Tournament at Nehru Stadium here today.
Put in to bat, Bud posted a challenging total of 240 for seven in the stipulated 40 overs. In reply, Ankurjyoti were restricted to 164 for seven in the 40 overs.
Riyan Parag entertained the crowd with a feast for the eyes, scoring a brilliant knock of 55 runs facing 80 balls, off which seven hits went to the ropes.
The 11-year-old, who led Guwahati to the recent Umananda Bora Trophy under-13 inter-district championship scoring back-to-back centuries in the knockouts stage, later shared the Man of the Match award with teammate Rio Pramanik, who accounted for five dismissals for 38 runs. Rohit Sharma (42, 4x4) and Prahlad Gayan (22 no, 4x2) were the other notable scorers for Ankurjyoti.
Dhiraj Singh of Bud hauled four wickets for 28 runs and Hiran Sarma picked up two for 26. Earlier, Manash Gogoi topscored for Bud with a 50-run knock, hitting five boundaries and Debobrata Roy remained unbeaten on a hurricane 41 off only 18 balls. He slammed five fours and two sixes. Besides, 41 runs each came from the bats of Mukut Kalita and Saahil Jain. Apart from Pramanik, Akshay Naraine and Riyan Parag also claimed a wicket each conceding 33 and 29 runs, respectively. With today’s defeat, Ankurjyoti Club bid adieu to the tournament.
They lost to River Rine Club by five wickets in yesterday’s group league match. The group topper will be decided from Bud’s next match against River Rine on Wednesday.
Navajyoti Club will clash with Gauhati Town Club in tomorrow’s match.
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