Shillong, Dec 14: Meghalaya’s four-match winning streak in the Vijay Hazare Trophy came to an end in Jaipur today as they lost to Tripura by nine wickets.
Going into today’s contest, which was the last round, both Tripura and Meghalaya were unbeaten, though the former were leading the Plate Group standings on net run rate.
With both Tripura and Meghalaya locked on four wins from four games, the fifth match on Tuesday was a direct shootout for a spot in the next round and Tripura eased home after bundling out its opponent for 116 in 39.5 overs.
Chasing 117 for a win, Tripura opener Bishal Ghosh and Samit Gohel slammed half-centuries to knock off the required runs in 28 overs and secured Tripura’s progress in the national 50-over tournament.
Earlier, Tripura leg-spinner Amit Ali picked up five wickets in 7.5 overs to stymie the opposition batting line-up with none being able to play a long innings to support opener Chirag Khurana who scored a fighting 55. Khurana was one of Ali’s victims.
Tripura finished with 20 points from five matches to top the Plate group and advanced while Meghalaya was second (16 points, 4 wins,1 loss) and Bihar third (12 points, three wins, 2 losses). Nagaland also had 12 points but was fourth due net run-rate. (With inputs from PTI)
