Ranji Trophy: 20 wickets fall on Day 1

Assam restrict J&K at 144 after scoring 128 : Mukhtar grabs 5 wickets

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam made good come back in the Ranji Trophy tie against Jammu & Kashmir here today. After bowled out for paltry 128 runs in the first innings Assam didn’t allow the opponent to take control on the game and they too bowled out the visitors at 144 in their first innings. Later Assam finished the day scoring 6-0 in the second innings.

The pitch at the ACA stadium, Barsapara is a paradise for the pace bowlers of both the teams and they grabbed the opportunity with both hands. All 20 wickets, that fall today, were collected by the pacers. Invited to bat Assam, who brought in Rahul Hazarika in place of Sib Sankar Roy and Mrinmoy Dutta replaced Ranjeet Mali, lost wicket on regular interval and once they were 9-74. It was the last wicket partnership between Mrinmoy Dutta and Mukhtar Hussain which made the total little respectable.

The duo added 54 runs on the last wicket and the partnership could take Mrinmoy into the record book as the batsman, who came into bat at number 11 position, became the highest run scorer in the innings. Mrinmoy, remained not out on 35, also faced most number of balls (54) among Assam batsman, hit 4 boundaries and one six. Mukhtar contributed 24 with the help of four boundaries. Rishav Das (12), Amit Sinha (11) and Arup Das (10) were the other batsmen of the team who scored double figure runs in the first innings.

Visitors were also in trouble during their batting and the side couldn’t get slender first innings lead unless opener Qamran Iqbal (64, 4X6, 6X2) played a good knock. Mukhtar and Arup bowled magnificently at the early stage and both were almost unplayable. The visitors were once 4-19 but Qamran fought bravely and he got good support from former member of Team India Irfan Pathan (35) and Kanhaiya Wadhawan(24).

Mukhtar, highest wicket taker in the innings, finished with 5-39. It was the third occasions when he took five or more wickets in an innings. Arup collected three wickets for 52.

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