UP on backfoot after Assam score 316 runs for loss of 2 wkts

Kanpur: Opener debutant Pervez Musharraf and Rahul Hazarika's centuries and record 278 runs partnership helped Assam give a befitting reply to UP as the visitors collected 316 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in their first innings on the third day of their Ranji trophy match on Sunday.The two openers not only scored centuries but also set a record of 274 runs for the first wicket on flat wicket of Green Park amidst seasonal rains and bad light affecting the third day. In fact, the third day recorded three interruptions, 200 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 73 overs.The first interruption of 25 minutes took place in the second session from 1.40 pm to 2.05 pm and the second after tea from 3.25 pm to 4.15 p.m. The umpires decided to extend the game till 5.30 pm but the same was stopped and called off at 4.40 pm due to bad light. Assam is still trailing 232 runs behind UP but their first innings continues and they still have 8 wickets in hand. The wicket is easy and batsmen are not feeling any problems.Pervez and Rahul resumed the third day’s game with full confidence and completed their centuries in the pre -lunch session. First, Rahul completed his century with a boundary to Shiva in 206 balls sending 19 times the ball to the fence and thereafter Pervez fulfilled his dream to hit a century. He achieved the three-figure mark hitting a boundary to Karan Sharma. He faced 213 balls and hammered 13 boundaries and two sixes stroked to Shiva at the midwicket region. It was his second century of this session.The solid defence of the two batsmen defied UP bowlers from any success in the first session as Assam finished it on 234 for no loss. The two openers completed their 200 runs partnership in this session. Post-lunch session break disturbed the concentration of Pervez and Hazarika and they lost their wickets. Both were adjudged as leg before wicket of Shivam Sharma.Shivam first trapped Hazarika by a fast straighter and thereafter Pervez was his prey. Hazarika scored 128 runs in 265 balls plundering 21 boundaries and Pervez scored 129 runs in 295 balls hammering 14 boundaries and two sixes. Later, talking to TOI, Pervez said that the ball deviated a little after pitching over a crack and hit his pad.At close Abhishek Thakuri and Rishav Das were batting on 19 and 4 runs respectively. Thakuri got a life after tea when Aryan Juyal failed to collect an edge of Rajput. The umpires had decided to extend the game till 5: 30 pm but five minutes after the stipulated time they had to stop and call off the day due to bad light.As Monday is the fourth and the last day and Assam’s first innings is still incomplete, therefore, any result in this tie is almost impossible. Now, UP think-tank is considering to achieve at least a first innings lead and secure 3 points. On the other hand, Assam batsmen will try to bat the whole last day in their incomplete innings and share the points equally from this tie. Score board: UP first innings-8 for 548 declared. Assam-Pervez Musharraf lbw b Shivam Sharma 129, Rahul Hazarika lbw Shivam Sharma 128, Abhishek Thakuri batting 19, Rishav Das batting 4, Extras 36, Total 2 for 316 in 113 overs. Fall of Wkts-1-274, 2-299. Bowling-Ankit Rajput 19-9-37-0, Aqib Khan 10-3-28-0, Prince Yadav 9-2-29-0, Shiva Singh 22-2-59-0, Nitish Rana 15-4-25-0, Shivam Sharma 26-5-77-2, Karan Sharma 12-0-28-0.