Ranji Plate Division Match

Assam on back foot against Services:

Guwahati, Dec 1: Poor fielding forced Asom to the back foot on the first day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Plate Group tie against Services at the Nehru Stadium on Saturday.

Electing to bat first and riding on a fine century by Tahir Khan, Services scored 272 for the loss of five wickets when stumps were drawn for the day.

The match is a crucial for Asom as they need a win to stay in the competition. But poor fielding, particularly in the first session, pushed the home team on the back foot on the first day.

Unless the remaining five wickets of the Services are the wiped off early on Sunday, it could be very difficult for Assam to earn full points from the match.

Tahir Khan, who opened the innings for Services, produced a splendid knock of 142 runs, which helped his side strongly placed at the draw of stumps on the first day.

Tahir’s 142 came off 254 balls with 19 boundaries. Tahir was also involved in two good partnerships with captain Yashpal Singh and vice captain Jasvir Singh during his stay at the wicket. Tahir and Yashpal added 83 runs for the fourth wicket while his partnership with Jasvir for the third wicket was worth 72 runs.

Of the five wickets that fell today, Krishna Das and Arlen Konwar bagged two wickets each while S Suresh picked up one.

Assam had so far played three matches. The team lost the first match against Gujarat and drew with Vidarbha in the second. Asom defeated Kerala in their last group match to earn full points from the game.

Brief Scorecard: Services 272 for 5 in 88.1 overs (Tahir Khan 142; Yashpal Singh 40; Krishna Das 2/42; Arlen Konwar 2/71)

Assam team: S Sarath (capt), Nishanta Bordoloi (vice-capt), Sadagopan Ramesh, S Suresh, Tajinder Singh, Palasyjyoti Das, Rajdeep Das (wk), Dhiraj Goswami, Bichitra Baruah, Arlen Konwar, Krishna Das, Mrigen Talukdar, Sourav Bhagawati, Souvik Das, Touhid Ali Talukdar, Bitop Mahanta.

Coach: Sanath Kumar; Manager: Umananda Bora; Physio: RB Kannan