Chennai: Favourites Tamil Nadu and New Zealand-A are virtually out of reckoning after losing their respective second round matches while Himachal Pradesh were pipped to the post by gritty Assam in the All India cricket tournament for the Buchi Babu Memorial trophy here on Thursday.
On the second and final day of the second round of league matches, Madhya Pradesh eliminated Tamil Nadu with a five wicket win.
Tamil Nadu, boasting four India players - Dinesh Karthick (Capt), S Badrinath, M Vijay and L Balaji - in their ranks, failed to arrest the freely scoring Jalaj Saxena, who was instrumental in MP chasing 177 in 53 overs.
Saxena remained unbeaten with a solid 91 (12 fours and a six) and Prabal Prathap Singh was 24 not out.
In another match at Chepauk, Kiwis proved to be bundle of nerves and failed to negotiate the Combined Districts' spinners.
Five of the visiting batsmen, playing against the spin, made their exits offering return catches to Suresh Kumar (three) and C Suresh (two). Chasing 359 for eight, New Zealand-A could muster a mere 157 before being all out in 60.5 overs.
The match between Assam and Himachal Pradesh evoked greater interest amongst the day's matches but the latter wilted under pressure.
At tea, HP were 245 for 6 and needed just 10 runs for victory with four wickets in hand but lost all the four wickets for just a single run in 2.3 overs when play resumed after tea. Thus, Assam won the match by eight wickets.
The second round of matches were vital for all 15 teams except Madhya Pradesh, who have won their first round match against Himachal Pradesh on the opening day itself and gained four points.
With rains playing the spoilsport, the other 14 teams in the fray shared points from their abandoned matches on Tuesday.
Third and final round of league matches are slated for Saturday and Sunday (Aug 22 and 23) to decide the toppers of four groups.
Assam, M P, Tamil Nadu Combined Districts, TNCA President's XI, Andhra, Karnataka, Saurashtra and Hyderabad have won their second round matches today to enhance their chances of making the semi finals stage to be held on Aug 25 and 26.
The final is slated for August 28 and 29.