Guwahati, Aug 7 (IANS) Barak Legends produced a clinical all-round display to cruise to an eight-wicket victory over Charaideo Sunrisers in the Assam Premier League (APL) 2026 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on Friday.

After a disciplined bowling effort restricted Charaideo Sunrisers to 124, an unbeaten partnership between captain Sibsankar Roy and Barunjyoti Malakar ensured Barak Legends chased down the target with eight balls to spare.

Opting to field first, Barak Legends struck early and never allowed Charaideo Sunrisers to build any momentum. Pradyun Saikia fought back with an aggressive 33 off 22 balls, while Himanshu Saraswat remained unbeaten on 31 to help the Sunrisers post 124 all out in their 20 overs.

Mohit Thakur led the bowling attack brilliantly with figures of 3/13, while Harsh Kumar and Abdul Ajij Kuraishi claimed two wickets apiece to keep the batting side under constant pressure.

Barak Legends lost Aman Singh in the opening over, but Bishal Saha then gave the innings an early push with a brisk 34 off 29 deliveries. Bishal's dismissal brought together Sibsankar Roy and Barunjyoti Malakar, who combined to put the chase beyond Charaideo's reach. Roy struck an unbeaten 42 off 32 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, while Malakar anchored the innings with a composed 37 not out from 47 deliveries.

The pair stitched together an unbroken 74-run partnership for the third wicket, taking Barak Legends to 125/2 in 18.4 overs and sealing a convincing eight-wicket victory to strengthen their campaign in the tournament.

Earlier, Barpeta Braves produced a commanding all-round display to register a comprehensive 70-run victory over Nagaon Rangers on Friday.

Powered by a captain's knock from Denish Das before a clinical bowling performance, the Braves defended 170 with ease by bowling out Nagaon Rangers for 100 in 18.2 overs

Asked to bat first, Barpeta Braves made a steady start before skipper Denish Das took control of the innings with a superb unbeaten 72 off 45 deliveries, smashing four boundaries and as many sixes.

Brief scores:

Charaideo Sunrisers 124 all out in 20 overs (Pradyun Saikia 33, Himanshu Saraswat 31*; Mohit Thakur 3/13, Harsh Kumar 2/25, Abdul Ajij Kuraishi 2/19)

Barak Legends 125/2 in 18.4 overs (Sibsankar Roy 42*, Barunjyoti Malakar 37*, Bishal Saha 34; Dibakar Johori 1/28)

Result: Barak Legends beat Charaideo Sunrisers by 8 wickets

--IANS

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