GUWAHATI, Jan 1 � Assam is tottering at 94 for the loss of four wickets in the second innings, requiring 344 for victory.
On the penultimate day of the four-day Group C Ranji Trophy match at the Barsapara stadium here today, Assam bundled out Maharashtra for 134 in their second innings. But the host team�s batsmen failed to capitalise on the advantage provided by their bowlers and lost 4 top-order batsmen.
Maharashtra, resuming their second in innings at the overnight total of 16 for no loss, were in trouble early on losing wickets at regular intervals. A devastating spell by spinner Syed Mohammad wrecked their innings and they folded the second innings at a small total.
Skipper Abu Nechim Ahmed took both the openers and after that Syed Mohammad took up the reigns and polished up the Maharashtra middle order and the tail. Amit Sinha was the other wicket-taker. First innings hero KM Jadhav was the top scorer with 34 while SD Atitkar added 22.
Now, requiring another 249 for victory with six second innings in hand, Assam is facing an uphill task. With only three recognised batsmen-Dheeraj Jadhav, Gokul Sharma and Syed Mohammad at stake, it is virtually impossible for Assam to save or win the match.
SCORECARD
Maharashtra 1st innings: 361
Assam 1st innings: 152
Maharashtra 2nd innings: HH Khadiwale c Aziz b Syed Mohammad 15, RH Motwani c Saikia b Ahmed 10, CG Khurana c Jadhav b Ahmed 5, KM Jadhav c Saikia b Syed Mohammad 34, AR Bawne b Sinha 19, PS Chavan lbw b Syed Mohammad 1, SS Mundhe c Jadhav b Syed Mohammad 7, SD Atitkar lbw b Syed Mohammad 22, AA Darekar c & b Syed Mohammad 4, AA Sanklecha not out 2, SM Fallah b Syed Mohammad 11. Extras: (b 1, lb 1, w 1, nb 1) 4. Total: (all out; 57.5 overs) 134. Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-25, 3-53, 4-70, 5-76, 6-84, 7-114, 8-120, 9-120, 10-134. Bowling: AN Ahmed 12-5-15-2, AK Das 6-1-12-0, J Syed Mohammad 20.5-7-50-7, AS Sinha 7-3-14-1, PL Das 11-1-35-0, NK Patel 1-0-6-0.
Assam 2nd innings: DS Jadhav not out 37, P Aziz run out 31, RK Das lbw b Darekar 0, AS Sinha c Motwani b Chavan 12, NK Patel c Jadhav b Khurana 1, G Sharma not out 2. Extras: (b 4, lb 5, nb 2) 11. Total : (4 wickets; 39 overs) 94. Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-49, 3-83, 4-91. Bowling: SM Fallah 3-0-10-0, AA Sanklecha 1-0-5-0, CG Khurana 16-5-34-1, SS Mundhe 2-0-4-0, AA Darekar 13-3-26-1, PS Chavan 2-1-4-1, AR Bawne 2-1-2-0.
