Avinash Rai batted in the innings of his young life while Ayushman Rabha was devastating with the ball as Shillong Cricket Association A defeated East Jaintia Hills District Cricket Association by 248 runs in their Zone 1 Group A match of the Meghalaya Cricket Association’s U-19 Boys Inter District Cricket Tournament in Umbuda, Nongpoh, today.
Batting first after winning the toss, SCA-A amassed 348 all out in 39.4 overs and then dismissed EJH for exactly 100 in 26.1 overs.
Avinash was in fine form today, as he carved out 150 from 108 deliveries in an innings that included 24 fours and six sixes. He put on 129 for the second wicket in partnership with Pushkar Raj, who entertained as well with 67 from 58 (8x4s, 2x6s). There were further contributions down the order, including Shavian Blah’s 24 from 16, which included three hits over the rope, and 38 from 13 by Angkit Tamang in a cameo at Number 9 that included five sixes.
Although no bowler escaped getting hit around the ground, there were a few successes for the EJH boys. Dev Rai claimed 3/46 and Bitu Lama 3/57. Avinash’s prized wicket was taken by Jeffre Chyrmang (1/68), which would have brightened the bowler’s day.
Needing to score at 8.73 an over to win, EJH started slowly but steadily, with a 45-run opening partnership between Amarjeet Gupta (31) and Jeffre (27). However, though there were a couple more small contributions, the batters found it difficult to counter Ayushman, who finished with impressive figures of 5/19.
Avinash was understandably named Player of the Match but Ayushman was also recognised for his stellar performance.
Tomorrow, in the last of the group fixtures, SCA-B will face Ri-Bhoi DCA in Zone1’s Group A.
