Bachan Singh: Wasted effort. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

Bud challenge

Guwahati, Jan 23: Hosts Bud Cricket Club today set up 262 for four in their allotted 40 overs against New Star Club, but rain stopped play just when the rivals were launching a spirited chase in the Bud challenge cricket tournament here.

The highlight of the Bud innings was the 112-run partnership between out-of-favour Ranji Trophy batsman Bachan Singh and his underrated elder sibling Jagjit. Bachan made 60 off 71 balls with six fours, while Jagjit scored a watchful 56 off 80 balls that included five fours.

Sumit Das, another Ranji discard, and Mukut Kalita consolidated on the platform provided by the Singh siblings to hit 77 unbeaten runs for the fifth wicket.

Das scored an unbeaten 42 off 36 balls and Kalita chipped in with 44 off 27 balls.

New Star?s Chandan Roy finished with two wickets for 52.

Chasing over 6 runs an over under an overcast sky, New Star posted 55 in 9.4 overs for the loss of one wicket before rain sopped play.

The organisers have decided to complete the match tomorrow from where it was stopped.

Tomorrow?s match between Digboi Cricket Coaching Centre and City Cricket Coaching Centre were put off.

Yesterday, Santipur AC rode Man of the Match R. Satish?s 97 off 87 balls, skipper Syed Zakaria Zuffri?s 72 off 88 balls and Mrigen Talukdar?s unbeaten 30 off 23 balls to storm into the final.

They defeated Guwahati Cricket Coaching Centre by 59 runs.

Replying to Santipur?s 260 for five in 40 overs, the coaching centre side put up a spirited challenge through Ranji opener Sajjad Hussain, R.R. Barik (24 off 32 balls), R.K. Mritunjoy Gohain (22) and Nishanta Bordoloi (25 off 23).

Hussain scored 80 off 102 balls, but the innings lacked urgency and direction. He hit five fours and two sixes.

Spinner Parvez Aziz finished with three for 42, while medium-pacer Rajib Rajbongshi captured two for 28.