Guwahati, 07 August (HS): Captain Denish Das starred with both leadership and the bat as Barpeta Braves secured a convincing 70-run victory over Nagaon Rangers in the Assam Cricket Association Stadium on Friday. A match-winning unbeaten half-century from Das, followed by a disciplined bowling effort, helped the Braves defend a total of 170 with ease.

Opting to bat first, Barpeta Braves posted 170/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Denish Das anchored the innings with an unbeaten 72 off 45 balls, striking four fours and four sixes. Kabir Hassan Desmukh contributed 25, while Gaurav Thakuria added a brisk 31 off 22 deliveries. Arun Sonar remained unbeaten on 13 from just seven balls to provide the late flourish.

Chasing 171, Nagaon Rangers failed to build partnerships as Barpeta bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Rajesh Prasad gave his side an early breakthrough by dismissing both openers before Shubham Kumar Gupta produced a superb spell, claiming three wickets for just eight runs.

Sumit Kashyap offered the only significant resistance with a fighting 44 off 34 balls, but lacked support from the other batters.

Bikiran Das then wrapped up the innings with a sensational spell, returning figures of 4/13 as Nagaon Rangers were bowled out for 100 in 18.2 overs. Rajesh Prasad finished with 2/22, completing a dominant all-round performance by Barpeta Braves.

Brief Scores:

Barpeta Braves: 170/4 in 20 overs (Denish Das 72*, Gaurav Thakuria 31; Darshan Rajbangshi 2/43, Bhargav Dutta 1/21).

Nagaon Rangers: 100 in 18.2 overs (Sumit Kashyap 44, SK Jnyanam 18; Bikiran Das 4/13, Shubham Kumar Gupta 3/8, Rajesh Prasad 2/22).----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash