Jnan Boro plays a shot during the match at NF Railway Stadium in Maligaon on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, Nov. 21: Hosts Assam continued to totter in the second innings of the Polly Umrigar Trophy (under-15) East Zone three-day match against Orissa at NF Railway Stadium today.

After Orissa were all out for 154 in 70.4 overs in the first innings, the home side was reduced to 107 for eight in 62 overs in the second innings at draw of stumps on the second day today. Assam went back to the pavilion adding a mere 67 runs to the board in 54 overs in the first innings yesterday.

Resuming the first innings at 66 for three, Orissa’s overnight not out batsman Puspasish Mohanty rallied on to score a solid 60 this morning. Pabitra Pradhan remained unbeaten on 29.

Pacemen Jugeswar Bhumij and Jnan Boro were the successful Assam bowlers with the former taking the scalp of four for 24, and the latter claiming three for 28.

In the second innings, Jnan Boro is so far the highest scorer for Assam with a strokeful 68 (10x4), while the rest collapsed meekly. Subhankar Chakraborty (15) and Sanjow Brahma (12) were the only other batsmen to score in double figures. Jugeswar Bhumij and Prabal Borkakaty were at the crease for nought at the end of the second day.

The Assam boys were cruising cautiously till the 36th over when the scoreboard read 73 for three at the dismissal of Jnan Boro. After Boro’s return to the dressing room, five wickets tumbled in quick succession.

Left-arm spinner Syed Zaki of Orissa notched three wickets for 18 runs, while paceman Gourav Mahapatra captured two for 28.

Assam will look to the tailenders for the Herculean task of holding fort till lunch tomorrow to post at least a 100-run second innings target for the visitors. The team will also try to restrict the flow of runs in the second innings in order to hold Orissa to a draw.