Cuttack: Pappu Roy (3/8) and Sandeep Patnaik (54 n o, 39b, 8×4, 1×6) bowled and batted splendidly to help Odisha register an emphatic nine wicket victory over Mizoram in a Group D match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 cricket tournament here Sunday.
After two consecutive defeats it’s the first victory for Odisha in the tournament.
Opting to bat first Mizoram found themselves in a spot of bother as they lost quick wickets in regular intervals and were skittled out for 91 in 19.1 overs against some precissive bowling by Odisha bowlers. Pappu (3/8) showcased brilliant bowling to spin a web around opposition batters. He was well supported by Rajesh Mohanty (2/12).
All other Odisha bowlers also bowled well. Suryakant Pradhan (1/16), Debabrata Pradhan (1/25) and Biplab Samantray (1/16) chipped in with one wicket each. Former India U-19 player and opposition skipper Taruwar Kohli (37, 38b, 6×4) was the only batsman to give some resistance with the bat, but he woefully got sort of partners.
In reply Odisha also started badly as debutant Swastik Samal got out with a golden duck. But Sandeep and Rajesh Dhuper (38 n o, 36b, 5×4) batted well to ensure that there were no further hiccups. Both forged an unbeaten partnership of 94 runs for the second wicket to overhaul the total with ease. Last season’s batting sensation Dhuper also got back to form much to the delight of Odisha team.
Brief scores: Mizoram 91 (Taruwar Kohli 37; Pappu Roy 3/8, Rajesh Mohanty 2/12) lost to Odisha 95/1 (Sandeep Patnaik 54 n o; Rajesh Dhuper 38 n o) by nine wickets.