With the economical bowling of India's star fast bowler Mohammad Shami, Bengal registered an easy six-wicket win against Meghalaya in a Group A match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament here on Sunday. Shami further strengthened his claim for a comeback in the Indian team by giving away just 16 runs in four overs.

Due to this, the Meghalaya team could only score 127 runs for six wickets. In reply, Bengal scored 128 runs for four wickets with 49 balls remaining due to an 80-run partnership for the first wicket between openers Abhishek Porel (61) and Karan Lal (42). Arian Sangma (37) and Larry Sangma (38) played useful innings for Meghalaya.

Akshar and Bishnoi did wonders

.In the Group B match in Indore, Gujarat defeated Sikkim by six wickets with three overs to spare due to the sharp bowling of Akshar Patel (two wickets for 19 runs) and Ravi Bishnoi (one wicket for 16 runs). Sikkim's team, batting first, could only score 101 runs for six wickets.

In response, Gujarat also lost wickets in quick succession. But thanks to the unbeaten 47 runs of opener Arya Desai, the team managed to win by scoring 102 runs for four wickets in 17 overs. Desai faced 48 balls in his innings and hit six fours. From Sikkim, Lee Yong Lepcha (two wickets for 18 runs) and Parth Palawan (two wickets for 10 runs) bowled well.

Hardik Pandya's team lost.

In Group B, in the absence of India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Baroda suffered a crushing 78-run defeat against Saurashtra. Batting first, Saurashtra posted a huge 266 for six with half-centuries from Harvik Desai (76 runs, 39 balls, nine fours, four sixes), Ruchit Ahir (57 runs, 30 balls, three fours, five sixes) and Jay Gohil (53 runs, 18 balls, two fours, six sixes).

Baroda captain Krunal Pandya gave away 59 runs in four overs but did not get anywicketst. In reply, Baroda's team could only score 188 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Opener Shashwat Rawat scored the highest 38 runs for Baroda.