Published on Aug 4
GUWAHATI: Captain Sibsankar Roy led from the front with a composed batting display as Barak Legends secured their second win in the Assam Premier League at the ACA Stadium on Tuesday. In a rain-affected encounter, Barak Legends held their nerves to defeat Guwahati Royals by three wickets via the VJD Method.
Batting first after being asked to set a target, Guwahati Royals posted 126/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Chasing a revised target of 118 in 19 overs, Barak Legends overcame early setbacks with crucial contributions from skipper Sibsankar Roy and Saurav Dey.
Barak Legends found themselves in trouble at 36/3 in 5.5 overs before Sibsankar and Saurav steadied the innings with a valuable partnership. Sibsankar scored a well composed 36 off 36 balls, while Saurav added 29 off 33 deliveries, including two sixes, to keep the chase on course.
Just when Barak appeared comfortable, Guwahati Royals staged a comeback by dismissing Saurav and putting pressure on the batting side. However, Sibsankar ensured his team crossed the finish line before he got out. His unbeaten effort of 36 included one four and two sixes.
Deepak Gohain was the pick of the bowlers for Guwahati Royals, taking 3/11, while Mrinmoy Dutta claimed two wickets.
Earlier, Guwahati Royals recovered from early blows to post a competitive total. They were reduced to 2/2 before captain Rishav Das and Nibir Deka rebuilt the innings with a 58-run partnership. Nibir top-scored with a fluent 47 off 40 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, while Rishav contributed 30 runs from 37 balls with two boundaries. Gunjan Jyoti Deka added a quick 22 off 19 deliveries to take the Royals beyond the 120-run mark. Mohit Thakur was the standout bowler for Barak Legends, returning impressive figures of 3/12 in four overs, while Abdul Ajij Kuraishi picked up 2/16.
Brief Scores:
Guwahati Royals: 126/9 in 20 overs (Nibir Deka 47, Rishav Das 30, Gunjan Jyoti Deka 22; Mohit Thakur 3/12, Abdul Ajij Kuraishi 2/16).
Barak Legends: 118/7 in 19 overs (Sibsankar Roy 36, Saurav Dey 29, Bishal Saha 15; Deepak Gohain 3/11, Mrinmoy Dutta 2/23).
PHOTO CAPTION: Sibsankar smashing the ball to the fence.

Second match abandoned
GUWAHATI: Persistent rain brought an early end to the league-stage clash between Nagaon Rangers and Jorhat Stallions, with the match being abandoned without a result at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Invited to bat first, Nagaon Rangers had reached 66 for 3 in 8 overs when rain interrupted play. Despite efforts to resume the match, the conditions did not improve, forcing the officials to call off the game.