Invitation cricket

Dibrugarh, April 12: Tinsukia Railway Divisional Sports and Recreational Club stole a sensational three-run win against strong contenders Phoenix Club, Sivasagar, to enter the final of the 7th Rafiur Rahman Invitation Inter- Club Cricket Tournament in the first semi-final at the Dibrugarh District Sports Association outdoor stadium today.

Tinsukia Railway won the toss and decided to bat. The team scored 187 losing seven wickets in their 40 overs. Abhinov Konwar topscored with a 50-run knock from 70 balls with four boundaries. Left-handed opener S. Ramesh Kumar came up with a fiery knock of 31 runs from just 22 balls with two boundaries and two sixes. All-rounder Parthib Hazarika made 29 from 26 balls with three boundaries and one six.

For Phoenix Club, Shyam Gurung picked up two wickets for 45 runs in his seven overs while all-rounder Abhinash Gogoi took one for 22 from his eight overs.

In reply, Phoenix Club came close to finish at 184 for 8 in 40 overs, falling three runs short of their target.

Bharat Newar, who was later adjudged the Man of the Match for his valiant knock of 77, was the topscorer for the Sivasagar side. He hit eight boundaries in his knock, which came from 80 balls.

Abhinash Gogoi scored 32 from 17 balls with three boundaries and one six. Fourteen runs were required from the last over, but the Phoenix players could only score 10 from the over bowled by Parthib Hazarika.

For Tinsukia Railway, Suraj Dutta and Bijon Dutta picked up a couple of wickets each, giving away 21 and 37 runs respectively.

Jeoti Morol Sangha, Dibrugarh, will take on Dibrugarh Cricket Coaching Centre (A) in the second semi-final tomorrow.