Guwahati, 01 August (HS): Pradyun Saikia starred with an not out 68 as Charaideo Sunrisers defeated Barpeta Braves by four wickets in the opening match of the inaugural Imperial Blue Packaged Drinking Water Assam Premier League (APL) at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday.

Opting to bowl first, Charaideo restricted Barpeta Braves to 156/5 in 20 overs despite a fighting recovery after an early collapse. Abhilash Maurya top-scored with 43 off 31 balls, while Arun Sonar remained unbeaten on 37 from 19 deliveries. Saurav Mousum Dihingia contributed 28, and Himanshu Saraswat impressed with the ball, claiming 2/25.

In reply, Charaideo suffered regular setbacks and were reduced to 76/5 after 14 overs. However, opener Pradyun Saikia held the innings together, registering the tournament's first-ever half-century before finishing unbeaten on 68 off 46 balls, including five fours and three sixes.

Amlan Jyoti Das added a crucial 34 off 22 balls to revive the chase, while Mayukh Hazarika struck an unbeaten 17 off just eight deliveries. The duo shared an unbroken 58-run partnership with Pradyun as Charaideo chased down the 157-run target in 19.1 overs with five balls to spare.

The victory gave Charaideo Sunrisers a winning start to the inaugural APL campaign, with Pradyun Saikia's match-winning knock setting the tone for the tournament.

Brief Scores:

Barpeta Braves: 156/5 in 20 overs (Abhilash Maurya 43, Arun Sonar 37, Saurav Mousum Dihingia 28; Himanshu Saraswat 2/25)

Charaideo Sunrisers: 157/6 in 19.1 overs (Pradyun Saikia 68*, Amlan Jyoti Das 34, Mayukh Hazarika 17*; Shubham Kumar Gupta 1/15, Kunal Sarma 1/29, Saifikul Islam 1/36).----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash