Orissa, who are enjoying a very good season, continued their fine form on the opening day of their East Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Assam at the Tinsukia District Sports Association Stadium in Assam on Thursday. After dismissing Assam for 167 runs, Orissa were 99 for two off 27 overs at stumps.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, Assam made a bad start losing opener Parag Das for a duck. Subharajit Saikia (31) and skipper Zakaria Zuffri (66) steadied the innings with a second wicket partnership of 63 runs. Saikaia made 31 off 57 balls while Zuffri top scored with 66 off 147 balls. But the rest of Assam batting offered little resistance and Assam were bowled out in the 58th over. Sanjay Satpati was the pick of the bowlers with 3/41 in 12 overs.

Orissa too made a poor start, losing Pradeep Das leg before to Zaved Zaman for a duck. A second wicket partnership of 93 runs between captain Shiv Sunder Das and Rasmi Ranjan Parida saved Orissa from further trouble. Das was dismissed after making a stroke filled innings of 54 off 77 balls. He smashed nine boundaries in his 104- minute stay at the crease. At close of play, Parida was unbeaten on 44 off 78 balls which includes three boundaries and a six. Sanjay Satpathy remained unbeaten without opening his account. Play was stopped five minutes before the scheduled close because of bad light.

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