Bihar look well set for a memorable victory as they garnered 322-run lead going into Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy Plate Group semifinal against Meghalaya in Shillong on Wednesday.
After ending their first innings on 428 at Meghalaya Cricket Association Cricket Ground, Bihar skipper Ashutosh Aman led from the front as the visiting bowlers decimated the Meghalaya batting order to send them packing for a mere 134 to take a huge first-innings lead of 294 runs.
Aman was the wrecker-in-chief as he claimed four wickets and returned figures of 4 for 21. Nawaz and Banshidar Kumar also got two wickets each while the remaining two Meghalaya batters were dismissed by Sachin Kumar and Shivam Kumar.
Later, Bihar were back for their second innings and were 28 for no loss when stumps were called for the day with openers Basukinath and Babul Kumar at the crease.
The Meghalaya bowlers, followed by their batters, will need to script a miracle in the last two days to prevent a Bihar victory in the game and lose out on the coveted berth in the final.
Earlier, Aman and Veer Pratap Singh resumed the Bihar first innings on the second day. While the captain could add 24 runs to the total, Veer Pratap — with company from Shivam Kumar — completed a half-century that gave Bihar more control of the game.
The 70-run partnership for the eighth wicket between him and Shivam — with his 31 — helped Bihar cross the 400 mark.
Arbin Singh remained the most effective of the Meghalaya bowlers with his three-for while Abhishek Kumar and Akash Choudhary claimed two wickets each.
As wickets kept falling like a pack of cards, only three Meghalaya batters could pose resistance to the onslaught by the Bihar bowlers, led by Aman. While Kishan Lyngdoh and skipper Punit Bisht scored 32 and 38 runs respectively, Rajesh Bishtoi proved to be the topscorer with his 40.
Brief score: Bihar 428 (o/n 329/6) (B Saurabh 177, V Singh 50; Arbin 3-101) & 28/0. Meghalaya 134 (R Bishnoi 40, Aman 4-21). Match to continue.
