The players and officials of the jubilant Assam team pose for photographs at Nurul Amin Stadium in Nagaon on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections

CK Nayudu meet

Guwahati, Nov. 22: Just as he had done against Sikkim, medium-pacer Jyoti Medhi batted with determination and bowled with fire today to inspire Assam to a 158-run victory over Tripura in the East Zone leg of the C.K. Nayudu Trophy (under-22) at Nurul Amin Stadium in Nagaon.

The victory put Assam in contention for a berth in the inter-zonal knockout stage of the tournament. With 15 points in its kitty, the team’s chances now hinge on the outcome of the ongoing Bengal-Orissa match in Calcutta. Assam’s berth will be confirmed if Orissa loses or concedes a first-innings lead to Bengal.

Resuming at the overnight score of 75 for four, the hosts lost three quick wickets this morning. However, an 80-run partnership between wicketkeeper-batsman Noor Alam Sheikh and Medhi helped Assam rally to 180 in the second innings. Sheikh (43) struck three sixes and a four and Medhi blasted two sixes and as many fours on his way to 37. The batsman who was unbeaten overnight, Kuldeep Pegu, played a patient knock of 33.

Nitish Choudhury of Tripura took three wickets for 28 runs.

Chasing a target of 249 runs in their second innings, the visitors were bundled out for 90 in 41.3 overs. Debabrata Choudhury topped the scorecard with 25. Abhinandan Roy (19) and opener Saumya Banik (10) were the only other batsmen to score in double figures.

Medhi struck four telling blows to ensure the big victory for his team. Skipper Gokul Sharma also took three for 17.

and Prakash Bhagat and Jnan Prakash took a wicket each.

Assam scored 174 in the first innings on Tuesday. Tripura made 106.