Shillong, Jan 6: Meghalaya secured a comprehensive victory over Arunachal Pradesh by 226 runs in their Ranji Trophy plate group match in Anand, Gujarat, on Friday.
Arbin Singh, playing in his maiden first-class match, claimed 5/42 in Arunachal’s second innings to dismiss them for 185. The left-arm orthodox spinner took 3/53 in the first innings to give him stupendous match figures of 8/95.
Arunachal began the final day on 12/3, needing exactly 400 more runs for an unlikely victory. They tried to make a go of it as best they could, with Rahul Dalal striking 96 before he was bowled by Arbin.
Suraj Tayam (35) also made a handy number of runs while Ngurang Tana (13) did not set the scoreboard alight with runs but occupied the crease in a dogged innings that stretched to 132 deliveries.
Arunachal made 45 and 50 runs for the fourth and fifth wickets respectively, which frustrated Meghalaya for a significant chunk of the day.
However, Tayam was dismissed by Dippu Ch Sangma (1/17) and Tana by Abhishek Kumar (3/29). That left Dalal with few partners at the other end and they were unable to counter Arbin’s bowling.
Meghalaya skipper Punit Bisht was adjudged the Player of the match for mammoth innings of 215 in the first innings.
With four wins in as many matches, Meghalaya are leading the plate group with Manipur in second place. Manipur will be Meghalaya’s next and final opponents and their match will be held in Shillong from January 10.
