Abhijit Singha Roy of Assam-B plays a shot at Nehru Stadium on Friday. Picture by Eastern Projections

S.P. Barooah Trophy

Guwahati, Sept. 29: Assam-B today rode a half century by Souvik Das to post 223 for seven in 80 overs in the first innings of the first S.P. Barooah Challenger Trophy two-day quadrangular cricket tournament match against Assam-A at Nehru Stadium here.

Winning the toss in the match delayed by rain, Assam-B chose to bat and suffered an early jolt with skipper Chandan Rawat (8) running himself out in the sixth over with the scoreboard reading 10.

Southpaw opener Abhijit Singha Roy and Souvik Das shared a steady partnership of 85 runs. Roy (33) hoisted an Arlen Konwar turner to land in the safe hands of Shiv Shankar Roy at mid-on in the post-lunch session.

New man in Sourav Bhagawati chipped in with 41 runs to share a third wicket partnership of 35 runs with Souvik before the latter was dismissed leg before wicket to spinner Parvez Aziz. Souvik’s 69 off 136 deliveries was laced with eight hits to the ropes.

Bhagawati was the second Assam-B batsman to run himself out while sharing a set tandem with middle order batsman Mukut Kalita. His 41 comprised three fours.

Kalita also chipped in with 32 runs facing 51 balls. His knock comprised a sixer, apart from stealing quick singles and twos sharing a 43-run partnership with Pritam Das (17) for the seventh wicket.

It will be an uphill task for the Arlen Konwar-led Assam-A to chase the target tomorrow with a strong bowling line-up in the opponent side.