Bihar returned to domestic cricket with an easy eight-wicket win over Nagaland in a plate group match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day tournament here on Wednesday.
Back to the domestic fold after a gap of 18 years, Bihar put up a solid batting display led by Babul Kumar’s 121 not out to cruise to the 254-run target with 38 balls to spare.
Babul’s knock came off just 119 balls with 15 fours and a six as he along with opener Vikash Ranjan (47) put together 116 runs to lay the foundation.
After Ranjan’s departure, the No 3 batsman held the fort with Keshav Kumar joining the party with a brisk 76 not out off 69 balls, studded with six fours and three sixes in match-winning 130 unbroken partnership.
Opting to bat, debutants Nagaland got off to a promising start with opener Nitesh Lochab’s 79 from 69 balls (12x4, 2x6). But Samar Quadri (3/35) put on the brakes with a twin blow of Lochab and Sedezhalie Rupero (35) as Nagaland were restricted to a modest 253/8.
Elsewhere in Vadodara, Puducherry became the first Plate team to win a Vijay Hazare match with an eight-wicket win over Manipur.
Manipur folded for a paltry 120 after Puducherry opted to field. Sarag Udheshi (4/20), Sagar Trivedi (3/47) shared seven wickets between them as Manipur struggled to get a partnership going.
{{/usCountry}}Manipur folded for a paltry 120 after Puducherry opted to field. Sarag Udheshi (4/20), Sagar Trivedi (3/47) shared seven wickets between them as Manipur struggled to get a partnership going.
{{/usCountry}}Shashank Singh (63 not out) along with Himachal Pradesh veteran Parash Dogra (21 not out) sweated little to cruise to the target in 25.3 overs.
At Nadiad, Taruwar Kohli scored a run-a-ball 127 to take Mizoram to 234/8 which was not enough as Arunachal Pradesh logged four points from the plate group.
Opener Samarth Seth led Arunachal’s chase with a 107, while Kshitiz Sharma gave good support with a quick 61 as they romped home with 18 balls to spare.
Brief scores:
At Anand: Nagaland 253/8; 50 overs (Nitesh Lochab 79, Imliwati Lemtur 45; Samar Quadri 3/35) lost to Bihar 254/2; 43.4 overs (Babul Kumar 121 not out, Keshav Kumar 76 not out, V Ranjan 47) by eight wickets.
At Nadiad: Mizoram 234/8; 50 overs (Taruwar Kohli 127) lost to Arunachal Pradesh 237/6; 47 overs (Samarth Seth 107, Kshitiz Sharma 61) by four wickets.
At Vadodara: Manipur 120; 37.1 overs (Sarag Udheshi 4/20, Sagar Trivedi 3/47, Ashith Sanganakal 2/19) lost to Puducherry 121/2; 25.3 overs (Shashank Singh 63 not out) by eight wickets. PTI TAP BS BS