Guwahati/Shillong, Feb 27 : Gokul Sarma’s all-round contribution this morning saw Assam open their campaign in the 1st North East Twenty20 cricket tournament at Polo Ground in Shillong with a 115-run victory over minnows Mizoram. Though an Assam victory was expected, the win gave them some respite after their miserable performance in the East Zone leg of the Vijay Hazare Trophy that concluded recently in Calcutta. Assam had lost all their matches in that tournament much to the ire of ACA. Batting first after losing the toss, Assam made 175 for eight with Sarma scoring 41 off 34 balls followed by Swarupam Purkayastha 39. Gokul was involved in two crucial partnerships of 44 runs for the fourth wicket with Deepak Sharma and 38 runs for the fifth wicket with Purkayastha. Lalfakzuala Renthlen was the most successful of the Mizoram bowlers claiming three wickets. Mizoram, in their chase, were bundled out for 60 in 16.3 overs with H. Zothanchhunga being the only batsman who scored in double figures with 11 to his name. Sarma was the wrecker-in-chief claiming four wickets for four runs. Swarupam captained the side in the absence of Dhiraj Goswami who was named captain by the ACA. Goswami is in Calcutta and is expected to play tomorrow. In the second match of the day, Nagaland defeated Manipur by 35 runs. Winning the toss, Nagaland elected to bat and scored 126 for seven in 20 overs with Deepak Singha scoring 26 runs off 30 balls. For Manipur, T. Naoba claimed two wickets. In reply, Manipur could manage only 91 in 19 .2 overs with N. Rajesh scoring 22 off 20 balls. Tomorrow, Assam will take on Sikkim. |
Labels: assam, Mizoram, North East T20
