Shillong, Nov 26: Meghalaya showed real fight with the bat today but still have their backs up against the wall in the U-19 men’s Cooch Behar Trophy match against Nagaland, with Monday being the final day.
At stumps on the third day today Meghalaya were on 120/3, still needing 335 more runs to win tomorrow.
Nagaland resumed their second innings today on 131/1. They had made 245 all out in the first innings to which Meghalaya could only reply with 110/10.
With a 135-run first innings lead, Nagaland were in a supremely strong position when they declared their second innings on 319/4, setting Meghalaya a target of 455 to win.
However, the home team produced a much improved batting performance in the last session, Pushkar Raj Singh scoring 55 from 79 balls in a knock that included a dozen fours.
It started a little shakily for Meghalaya as they were reduced to 13/2 but Pushkar came together with Kishlay Vishlux, who batted patiently for his unbeaten 31 from 121 deliveries. Crucially, Krishlay survived the day and will look to bat for a long time tomorrow as well. With him at the close of play was all-rounder Shavian Blah, who is not out on 18.
Earlier, the visitors continued to dominate the match, with Vishal Sahani (pictured) making a peerless 156 from just 162 balls (22x4s, 3x6s). His shot making was a little risky but his good form was coupled with good luck and he continued until finally being dismissed by Manthan Dey (1/23 in 3 overs).
Yugandhar also struck a century for Nagaland, hitting exactly 100 before getting out to the leg spin of Charm Marbaniang. He proved to be Meghalaya’s most successful bowler today, taking 3/93 after toiling for 22 overs.
(Meghalaya Cricket Association photo)