Assam thrash Tripura by 10 wkts

Hosts Assam started off their Ranji Trophy campaign in style defeating Tripura by 10 wickets in their opening group league match at Nehru Stadium, in Guwahati.

A 10-wicket victory ensured a bonus point for Assam as they got seven points from the encounter. Tripura following on were dismissed for 366 in their second innings, leaving a target of 62 runs for the hosts, which they reached without any fuss.

For Tripura, it was a matter of getting a point from the match by batting through the day. Lot of hopes were pinned on skipper Ajay Ratra's ability to bat long hours.

However, Ratra (124) was adjudged leg before wicket off pacer Arup Das and any hopes of saving the match was gone for Tripura. Ratra hit 18 boundaries during his 255-ball stay at the crease.

Ratra added 77 runs to his overnight score before becoming the ninth wicket to fall.

Ratra was involved in three vital partnerships with Manisankar Murasingh (62), Timir Chanda (58) and Rana Dutta (32 not out).

He first added 107 runs for the seventh wicket with Murasingh and then put up 80 with Chanda for the eighth wicket. He tried to bat out time in the company of Rana with another 74-run stand but failed in his attempt.

For Assam, left-arm spinner Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad shone with the ball with a four-wicket haul. He was ably supported by Das (3/52) and Abu Nechim Ahmed (2/94).

Assam did not take much time to complete the formalities and required 15.2 overs to overhaul the target with Pallavkumar Das hitting a fine unbeaten half-century at the top.

Brief scores:
Assam: 450 & 62/0 in 15.2 overs (Pallavkumar Das 52 not out)
Tripura: 145 & 366 (f/o) (Ajay Ratra 124, Manisankar Murasingh 62; J Syed Mohammad 4/83).