Assam take command against Tripura
Agartala: Assam produced a fine pace bowling display to take the upperhand over hosts Tripura at the end of opening day’s play in a Group C Ranji Trophy match, here on Thursday. Opting to field, Assam rode on the exploits of its pace trio of skipper Abu Nechim Ahmed (3/37), Arup Das (4/34) and Pritam Das (3/49) to bundle out Tripura for 136 in 55 overs. Abhijit Dey was the lone bright spot for Tripura, scoring a fine 54 off 131 balls which was decorated with 10 hits to the fence. At stumps, Assam were 85 for one in 32 overs in their first innings. Dheeraj Jadhav was batting on 40 off 87 balls and giving him company was Sibsankar Roy on 15. Opener Pallav Kumar Das (19) was the lone wicket to fall for Assam. Brief scores: Tripura 1st innings: 136 all out in 55 overs (A Dey 54; A Das 4/34, A Nechim 3/37, P Das 3/49); Assam: 85/1 in 32 overs (S Roy 40*; R Dutta 1/16). (PTI)
Perera, Dilshan fire Lanka to T20 win
Pallekele: Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit aggressive half-centuries as hosts Sri Lanka romped to an emphatic eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the second Twenty20 international here on Thursday. Perera smashed 57 off 37 balls and Dilshan remained unbeaten on 59 off 49 balls as Sri Lanka, the top-ranked Twenty20 side in the world, surpassed New Zealand’s 142-7 with 13 balls to spare. The first Twenty20 match at the same venue on Tuesday was washed out. New Zealand’s innings, after they were sent in to bat by Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal, revolved around a fighting 34 off 25 balls by Luke Ronchi. (AFP)
Anand loses again, Carlsen 1 draw from title
Chennai: Magnus Carlsen closed in on the crown after defeating defending champion Viswanathan Anand in the ninth game of the World Chess Championship match here on Thursday. On what turned out be a dramatic affair, Anand missed out on his chances in white pieces and suffered a painful defeat that almost sealed the fate of the match. Carlsen now leads 6-3 and needs just half a point from the remaining three games to become the world champion. It was a Nimzo Indian defence that Carlsen chose and Anand, realising well that this was his last chance for a strike, went for the Saemisch variation, but to no avail. (PTI)