Nuruddin Trophy

Guwahati, May 5: A six-wicket haul by Istiak Ali helped Jorhat make shortwork of Nagaon innings on the first day of their two-day Nuruddin Ahmed Trophy Senior Inter-District Elite Group Cricket Tournament second quarter-final at Barsapara Cricket Stadium here today.

Put in to bat, the Nagaon batsmen were bowled out for 186 in 55.5 overs. In their chase, Jorhat were 64 for two in 33 overs at the end of the day's play.

All-rounder Dhiraj Goswami topscored for Nagaon with a 41-run knock, hitting only three boundaries, while Arminder Singh Oberoi scored 34 (3x4). Ashok Kr Saini (32, 3x4) and Anupam Hazarika (17, 2x4) were the other notable scorers for the side. Left-arm spinner Istiak Ali wreaked havoc in the innings scalping six for 43 in 17.5 overs after paceman Imtiaz Hussain picked up the first two wickets conceding 34 runs. Dayal Krishna Dutta and Prabal Borkakati picked up one each for the remaining two wickets.

Jorhat started on a steady note after opener Sanjib Prasad got out early. Md Arif and Pargat Bora were batting on 28 (1x4) and five respectively, while Utpal Hazarika contributed 23, hitting three fours. Ashok Kr Saini of Nagaon claimed both the wickets conceding only 10 runs. A first innings lead in the two-day affair can help one of the sides qualify for the semi-finals.

Yesterday, Guwahati booked a berth in the semi-finals by virtue of a 143-run first innings lead against Tinsukia in the first quarter-final here.