Published on Aug 2
GUWAHATI: The third match of the Assam Premier League produced one of the fiercest contests of the season, with Barak Legends holding their nerve to edge past Nagaon Rangers by a solitary run (via VJD method) in a gripping finish.
The match had all the ingredients of a classic. Barak Legends dominated the first half through a magnificent opening partnership before Nagaon Rangers fought back brilliantly with the ball to restrict the scoring. The second innings was equally enthralling as the Rangers mounted a spirited chase, only for the Barak bowlers to keep their composure in the final over and seal a dramatic one-run victory.
Bishal and Aman lay a strong foundation
Asked to bat first, Barak Legends posted a competitive 162/8, riding on a magnificent 124-run opening partnership between Bishal Saha and Aman Singh. It was the first 100 plus opening stand in the competition. The duo dominated the powerplay and continued to score freely, laying the perfect platform for a big total. Saha anchored the innings with a fluent 65 off 50 balls, striking five fours and three sixes, while Aman matched him stroke for stroke with a sparkling 68 from 46 deliveries, including three boundaries and four sixes. The duo posted 105 runs in the first 10 overs of the innings,
Impressive comeback by Nagaon
After struggling to break the opening stand, Nagaon Rangers produced a remarkable fightback. Once opener Bishal Saha got out at 13.1 overs, the bowlers tightened the screws and restricted Barak Legends to just 38 runs while claiming seven wickets during the remainder of the innings.
Akshay Kumar Deka led the resurgence with outstanding figures of 3/16, while Sunil Lachit and Jitu Ali chipped in with two wickets each to prevent the Legends from posting an even bigger total.
Rangers' chase falls agonisingly short
Rain reduced the chase to 17 overs under the VJD Method, leaving Nagaon Rangers with a revised target of 144. The Rangers made a brisk start through Ruhinandan Pegu, who played an enterprising knock of 38 from 26 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes.
Although Jitu Ali (16) and Bishal Roy departed in successive deliveries, Pegu and Sumit Kashyap steadied the innings before skipper Anurag Talukdar launched a counter-attack.
Talukdar produced a blistering 49 off just 26 deliveries, smashing three fours and three sixes to keep the chase alive. Sumit Kashyap added a composed 26, while Dhruv Raaj Borah remained unbeaten on 9 as the Rangers stayed in the hunt until the final over.
With 10 runs required from the last six balls of Abdul Ajij Kuraishi, Nagaon Rangers pushed Barak Legends all the way but could collect only eight runs, falling heartbreakingly short by a solitary run.
Barak bowlers hold their nerve
Despite Talukdar's late assault, the Barak Legends bowlers kept their composure under pressure. Mohit Thakur was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/30, while Abdul Ajij Kuraishi and Rabi Chetry claimed one wicket each to ensure their side crossed the finish line in a nail-biting finish.
Brief Scores
Barak Legends: 162/8 in 20 overs (Aman Singh 68, Bishal Saha 65; Akshay Kumar Deka 3/16, Sunil Lachit 2/25)
Nagaon Rangers: 142/5 in 17 overs (Revised target: 144 via VJD Method) (Anurag Talukdar 49, Ruhinandan Pegu 38, Sumit Kashyap 26; Mohit Thakur 2/30)
Result: Barak Legends won by one run (VJD Method).

Guwahati Royals win in another thriller
GUWAHATI, Aug 2: Mohammed Mudassir kept his composure under immense pressure to deliver a sensational finish as Guwahati Royals pulled off a thrilling one-wicket victory over Jorhat Stallions in the second match of the day at the same venue.
The match appeared to be slipping away from Guwahati after a commanding start, but Mudassir’s boundary off the final delivery of the 19th over brought the Royals home in a dramatic finish.
Defending a modest total, Jorhat Stallions fought until the very end after being bowled out for 118 in 18.5 overs. Rajveer Singh provided the backbone of their innings with a 34-run knock, while Deepak Gohain led Guwahati’s bowling attack with an impressive spell of 3 for 16.
Chasing 119, Guwahati Royals seemed to be cruising after openers Rohit Sen and Bishal Sharma stitched together a 44-run opening stand. Rohit played a crucial role at the top of the order, scoring 34, while Nibir Deka added valuable support with a 24-run contribution.
At 96 for 4, victory looked within reach for Guwahati. But Jorhat launched a stunning fightback, picking up four quick wickets and reducing the Royals to 116 for 8. The drama continued as Guwahati slipped to 118, losing their ninth wicket and leaving the contest on a knife-edge.
With one run required from the final seven balls, Mudassir became the unlikely hero, finding the boundary off the last ball of the 19th over to complete a memorable win and give Guwahati Royals a winning start to their campaign.
PHOTO CAPTION: Bishal Saha (L) and Aman Singh (R) celebrating after scoring half centuries on Sunday.
PHOTO: Subhamoy Bhattacharjee.