CHALLENGER LEAGUE

Guwahati, Aug. 23: Upper Assam Zone prevailed over Central Assam Zone by virtue of a 183-run first innings lead in their two-day Assam Challenger League cricket match at Judges Field here today.

Resuming at the overnight 143 for one in reply to Central's first innings total of 133, Upper Assam were all out for 316 in 79 overs in the first innings today. Central Assam were 119 for one in 31 overs at the end of the match.

Overnight not out batsman Md Arif topscored for Upper Assam with 75 (9x4), while lower middle order batsman Joy Singh Yadav contributed 37 runs, hitting four boundaries and a six.

Left-arm spinner Bikash Chetry was Central Assam's demolition man, having hauled eight wickets for 79 runs.

In Central's chase, opener Abhishek Thakuri was out for 40 (7x4), while Hrishikesh Tamuli and Diptesh Saha remained not out on 53 (6x4) and 26 (3x4) respectively.

At NF Railway Stadium here, Headquarters Zone conceded a first innings lead of 33 runs to Northern Assam Zone after being bowled out for 227 in 69 overs in reply to Northern Assam's 260 all out in the first innings.

Seasoned southpaw Parvez Aziz (67, 6x4, 1x6) topscored for Headquarters, while all-rounder Dhiraj Goswami chipped in with 38 (4x4, 1x6).

Left-arm spinner Rohit Rowniar of Northern Assam picked up four wickets conceding 50 runs while Mrinmoy Dutta and Arlen Konwar claimed two each.

Northern Assam were 59 for two in 15 overs at the close of play. Sunu Kumar and Yasir Ali remained unbeaten on 20 (2x4) and nine respectively.

In another match at D.N. Singha Stadium in Goalpara, Southern Assam Zone prevailed over Lower Assam Zone by virtue of a 57-run first innings lead.

Resuming their first innings at the overnight 57 for eight, Lower Assam were bundled out for 82 in 49.5 overs. Southern Assam scored 139 in the first innings and 105 all out in 37 overs in the second innings. Lower Assam were 79 for five in 35 overs at the end of the match.

Off-spinner Swarupam Purkayastha ripped through the Lower Assam innings to haul four for 21 in the first innings and all the five dismissals in the second innings, conceding 33 runs.

Opener Riyan Parag (38, 4x4, 2x6) was the only notable scorer for Southern Assam in the second innings, while left- arm spinner Sibsankar Roy hauled five for 41.

Angshuman Saikia and Aman Chetry remained not out on 26 and 14 respectively in Lower Assam's second innings.