Vijay Hazare Cricket: Heart-breaking exit for Assam

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GUWAHATI: Assam lost to Maharashtra narrowly and bowed out from the Vijay Hazare Cricket in Ahmedabad today. Chasing 351 to win in 50 overs in the second semi final Assam scored 338-8 and lost the game by just 12 runs. Sibsankar Roy (78), Swarupam Purkayastha (95) and Rishav Das (53) scored half centuries.

Early part of the run chase was not so good for Assam as they were once struggling 4-103. Rishav and Riyan Parag (15), both scored centuries in the last game, returned to the pavilion. When it looked like Maharashtra was completely taking control over the game, Swarupam and Sibsankar started to rebuild the innings with a nice partnership. The duo on the fifth wicket partnership added 133 runs and put Assam in a comfortable position. Both looked very comfortable on the wickets and didn't hesitate to punish the bowlers immediately when they delivered a loose ball.

However Sibsankar once lost his wicket on team's total 236 Maharashtra got one more chance to come back into the game and they grabbed the opportunity by picking wickets on regular interval.That time Swarupam was the key for Assam but he was dismissed soon after the team crossed 300 in the 45th over. The lower order couldn't do much after that as Assam ended up short to suffer a heart-breaking exit.

Sibsakar took 63 balls to score 78 with the help of nine boundaries and two sixes. Swarupam faced 87 balls and he decorated his innings with 10 boundaries and one six. On the other hand Rishav took 49 balls to score 49 (4X9, 6X1). Earlier Invited to bat, Maharashtra rode on nice centuries from captain Ruturaj Gaekwad (168) and Ankit Bawne (110) scored 350-7 in their 50 overs. Mukhtar Hussain (3-42) was the top performer for Assam with the ball.

Also Read: Riyan and Rishav smash centuries, Assam in semis in Vijay Hazare Cricket

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