Samir Sharma destroys defending champions' batting line up, picks 7; Town Club defeats Tribeni to register 1st win

After facing the heavy defeat against India Club, Town Club needed to up their game to remain in the race for a semi-final spot in the Narayan Paul Memorial Super Division Trophy. Batting first against defending champions Tribeni Club, Town Club did not get off to a good start. Openers disappointed yet again. Skipper Ram Das followed his duck in the first match with a 21-run inning. Aman Chetry elevated to number three could not open his account. Sahil Hssn then dismissed the other opener – Hrishikesh Das for 12. Joydeep Singh (22) and Samir Sinha (26) built a partnership but Chandradip Das was in top form with the ball hitting the right areas.

Abhishek Deb, the under-16 rising star of Cachar District who was the captain of Town Club last year, was dropped from the opening slot to the middle order. He failed to open his account. Akash Chetri scored the most important 30 to take the team to a fighting score of 160. Tribeni was so sloppy with the ball that they conceded 21 wides and a total of 26 extras.

Shipon Laskar and Chandradip Das picked three wickets each while Sahil Hssn and Chiranjib Dey pitched in with two wickets each.

Chasing 160, in 40 overs, Tribeni needed to score at the rate of 4 runs per over. With Krishnendu Das in the batting lineup, run rate was never going to be the issue. However, the batters were sloppy and played tired shots in the begining to concede the advantage to Town Club. Akash Chetri got rid of the skipper Abhitabh Paul for just five. Shubam Deb stays out of form as he followed his 1-run innings with a duck to Samir Sharma. Rahul Dey (3) was next to go to the pavilion leaving fast-scoring Das deserted on the other end. Akash Chetri then got his second and the crucial wicket of Krishnendu Das who scored 34 runs of 21 balls with the help of four 4s and two 6s.

Veteran Naushad Ali steadied the ship and needed support on the other end. At one stage, it seemed like Ali and experienced Sadek Imran will take the team over the line but then Aman Chetry joined the party and sent Imran to the pavilion (18). Naushad Ali the last hope for the defending champions was dismissed by Samir Sharma for 43 and the Tribeni Club were all out for 121 runs in 24.4 overs.

Samir Sharma was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up seven wickets. He was adjudged the man of the match for his brilliant spell of bowling. Akash Chetri got two wickets while Aman Chetry picked one.

The Tribeni Club management must be wondering if it was a blunder to let go the senior players like Abhishek Thakuri and Pritam Das during the transfer window. The team looked flat, especially with the bat against the Town Club. It will take a herculean effort for the defending champions to make a comeback in the tournament.