Buchi babu cricket
Guwahati, Aug. 20: A century each by opener Pallav Das and middle-order batsman Gokul Sharma enabled Assam to clinch an eight-wicket victory against Kerala in their second match of the Buchi Babu Cricket Tournament, organised by Tamil Nadu Cricket Association at IC Guru Nanak ground in Chennai today.
In the two-day affair, Kerala yesterday posted 349 in 90 overs. Das and Sharma today slammed scintillating centuries to help Assam reach 352 for two in 67.4 overs.
Das opened with all-rounder Swarupam Purkayastha (46, 6x4, 2x6) to score 156 facing 189 deliveries. He hammered 16 hits to the fence and five over-boundaries.
Sharma, who was also elevated in the batting order as first down, remained unbeaten on 145 off 173 balls. He also slammed 17 boundaries and five sixes.
The opponents tried as many as nine of their bowlers but could not get the breakthrough they were looking for.
Yesterday, pacer Pritam Das shone with the ball, taking the scalp of three for 44. Spinners Bikash Chetry and Swarupam shared two wickets each, giving away 48 and 86 runs respectively. Abu Nechim Ahmed and Syed Mohammad picked up one wicket each.
For Kerala, middle-order batsman Akshay Chandran topscored with 75 (10x4) and another middle order batsman, Salman Nizar, contributed 62 (6x4, 1x6). Mohammad Azharuddeen (52, 7x4, 1x6), Athul Diomond Sowri (43, 6x4), RS Renjith (40, 4x4), Vinoop S. Manoharan (28, 1x6) and Saly Viswanadh (23, 2x4, 1x6) were the other main scorers.
Today’s is the first victory the Assam senior team tallied in the ongoing exposure tour.
Assam, who will play in Group A in the Ranji Trophy tournament this year, have lost two matches and settled for a draw in the KSCA invitation tournament in Bangalore and lost their first match in Chennai.
Manipur team: The Manipur Sepak Takraw Association Ad hoc Committee has selected five women players to represent the state in the sixth Federation Cup Sepak Takraw Championship to held at Rourkela, Odisha, from October 2-4.
The players are A. Maipak Devi, Kh. Priya Devi, O. Chaoba Devi, W. Pramodini Devi and M. Debita Devi. The committee also named W. Inaobi Singh and Th. Muhindro Singh team manager and team coach.
