Mumbai – In a breathtaking high-scoring match at the iconic Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, the Assam cricket team clinched a nail-biting victory by a mere 2 runs in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy showdown. Their valiant performance on both sides of the pitch kept the spectators on the edge of their seats.
Opting to bowl first, Himachal Pradesh’s bowlers were in for a challenging ordeal as they struggled to contain Assam’s formidable batters. Assam’s batsmen exhibited sheer dominance, amassing a formidable total of 231 for the loss of 4 wickets within their allotted 20 overs.
The star of the show for Assam was Riyan Parag, who blazed his way to 72 runs off just 37 deliveries. He found able support in Sumit Ghadigaonkar, who contributed a crucial 71 runs from 43 balls. The fireworks continued as Akash Sengupta hammered 24 runs off a mere 6 balls, finishing the inning with three impressive sixes.
Himachal Pradesh’s bowlers found themselves in hot water, with Mayank Dagar proving to be the most expensive, conceding a whopping 54 runs in his 4 overs. Vaibhav was not far behind, giving away 51 runs in his 4 overs while managing to claim the wicket of Riyan Parag. Rishi Dhawan, a seasoned player, took one wicket in his 4-over spell but couldn’t prevent Assam’s onslaught. Akash Vasisht added another wicket to the tally in his 3 overs.
Himachal Pradesh’s response started aggressively, with their openers accumulating a quick-fire 32 runs in just 3 overs. However, their hopes were short-lived as Ekant Sen departed after scoring 23 runs in 13 balls. Ankush Bains made a rapid start but contributed only 15 runs in his 5-ball inning.
The experienced Prashan Chopra emerged as the beacon of hope for Himachal Pradesh, smashing an impressive 88 runs from 51 balls, featuring nine fours and three maximums. Captain Rishi Dhawan played a captain’s knock, adding a competitive 72 runs from 31 balls. The Chopra-Dhawan partnership was a sight to behold as they forged a 102-run partnership in just 49 balls.
With Himachal Pradesh needing 10 runs in the last over, the encounter reached its zenith. However, their hopes were dashed when Akash Sengupta dismissed the dangerous Chopra on the very first ball of the final over, with the ball landing safely in the hands of Riyan Parag.
On the bowling front, Mrinmoy Dutta shone for Assam, claiming 3 crucial wickets in his 4 overs, while Sengupta secured 2 for 39 in his four-over spell. Assam’s bowlers displayed exceptional discipline, conceding only 6 extra runs, including 2 wides and 4 leg byes.
The match was a spectacle of cricketing excellence, with both teams displaying extraordinary skills and fighting spirit. In the end, Assam emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins, clinching the win by just 2 runs, and leaving cricket fans in awe of the thrilling encounter.
