U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, Round 4

Shillong, Dec 21: Reshu Raj took a stunning seven Meghalaya wickets to help Bihar bowl out the hosts for 122 and thus claim a 301-run victory on the third and final day of their U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy match at the MCA Cricket Ground here today.

Set an almost impossible target of 424 for victory, Meghalaya resumed on 8/0 with Mrinal Das (20) and captain Rushikesh Jadhav (31) at the crease. The pair put on a further 51 runs before both were dismissed in the space of two overs by spinner Raj.

Bihar had made 299/9 and 199/4 in their two innings with the bat, declaring on both occasions, while Meghalaya had been dismissed for just 75 runs in their first.

The dismissal of the openers was the start of a batting collapse that has Meghalaya has been a little guilty of in their last two matches – the hosts’ first seven wickets fell for just 11 runs added to the total.

There was some lower order resistance with Abhishek Gupta contributing 16, Suhir Sahani 13 and Gavineal Marpna 11 not out.

Even their spirited fight, however, could not delay the inevitable and Bihar wrapped up the few remaining wickets before noon.

Raj ended with figures of 7-24 and peerless match figures of 11-47.

Meghalaya will next play Nagaland in Shillong from December 26.

(Photo contributed by the Meghalaya Cricket Association)