Punit smashes century as Meghalaya beat Sikkim

SHILLONG, Feb 23: Punit Bisht cracked another century for Meghalaya today in an 88-run victory over Sikkim in the plate group of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Chennai today.
Guest-professional Bisht hit 116 off 80 deliveries as Meghalaya made 319/7 in their 50 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.
Fellow guest-professional Sanjay Yadav had another good innings, hitting his second consecutive half-century, and once again at a quickfire pace. He finished not out on 73 made from just 42 balls. He slammed three fours and six sixes, while Bisht battered nine fours and six sixes. Yogesh Tiwari, meanwhile, hit 58 after he came in following the loss of two early wickets.
The chase saw Sikkim restricted to 231/9. Dippu Sangma, who was costly in the defeat to Uttarakhand two days ago, responded brilliantly today. Sangma opened the bowling and took a wicket in the very first over and ended with 2/33 in 10 overs. His were the best and most economical figures in the match.
There were two batsmen who posed a danger to Meghalaya – Ashish Thapa (79) and Robin Bist (59). The latter was run out by Akash Kumar Choudhary before the Meghalaya youngster had the other caught off his bowling. Choudhary claimed 1/48 with the ball.
Abhay Negi, meanwhile, took 2/46, Ravi Teja 1/21 and Yadav 1/43.
Meghalaya will next face Mizoram on Thursday.
Other Matches
Opener Jay Bista starred with a 61-ball 71 as Uttarakhand outplayed Manipur by seven wickets for their second consecutive win in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate Group here on Tuesday.
Sent in to bat, Manipur lost the openers Narisingh Yadav (2) and Al Bashid Muhammed (4) by the sixth over and the rest of the batsmen struggled against a disciplined bowling attack.
Left-arm spinner Mayank Mishra was the best of the Uttarakhand bowlers, returning figures of 2 for 18 from 10 overs while Akash Madhawal (2/27) and experienced left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdullah (2/32) too picked up two wickets each.
In reply, Bista continued his good form with a knock of 71 (8 fours, 2 sixes) to follow up his 141 on Sunday against Meghalaya to set up the win.
Assam also notched up their second win, beating Arunachal Pradesh by five wickets to join Uttarakhand at the top of the standings with eight points.
In another match, Mizoram went down by 29 runs to Nagaland despite tons by Pratik Desai (141) and Taruwar Kohli (108).
Brief Scores
Manipur 148 for 9 in 50 overs (Jayanta Sagatpam 32; Mayank Mishra 2/18) lost to Uttarakhand 152 for 3 in 23.1 overs (Jay Bista 71) by seven wickets.
Meghalaya 319 for 7 in 50 overs (Punit Bist 116) beat Sikkim 231 for 9 in 50 overs (Ashish Thapa 79, Robin Bist 59; Dippu Sangma 2/33) by 88 runs.
Arunachal Pradesh 222 for 7 in 50 overs (Rahul Dalal 123 not out) lost to Assam 226 for 5 in 36.4 overs (Sibsankar Roy 60 not out; Rakesh Kumar 4/58) by five wickets.
Nagaland 347 for 9 in 50 overs (Stuart Binny 80; Varte Kima 5/66) beat Mizoram 318 for 6 in 50 overs (Pratik Desai 141, Taruwar Kohli 108; Nagaho 2/30) by 29 runs. (Agencies)