2nd T-20 Veteran Cricket Tournament : NAPSA whack IWVCC to enter semi-final stage
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 06 2014 :
Riding a brilliant 57 runs off 56 balls not out from Goutam and 35 runs off 29 balls not out from Bhogen, NAPSA thrashed IWVCC by 80 runs to complete the semi-final line up of the 2nd T-20 Manipur Veteran Cricket Tournament today.
Electing to bat on winning the toss, the NAPSA batsmen took advantage of a blunt bowling attack from IWVCC to score runs at will on either side of the wicket, with Goutam leading the charge with a brilliant score of 57 runs from 56 balls.
Goutam was ably supported by Bhogen who made a quick fire 35 runs off 29 and carried his bat through the innings.
So insipid was the attack of IWVCC that only one wicket of NAPSA fell in the allotted 20 overs.
Failing to keep a straigth line and length, the bowlers of IWVCC sprayed the ball all over enabling the batsmen of NAPSA to milk the attack and keep their wickets intact leaving the bowlers of IWVCC a frustrated lot.
Manitombi also contributed with the bat for NAPSA scoring 15 off 29 balls to take the tally of his team to 125 for the loss of one wicket in the allotted 20 overs.
The lone wicket of IWVCC was bagged by Rajendro.
Put in to bat, with the target set at 126, the IWVCC batsmen wilted under the sustained attack of the bowlers from NAPSA.
Instead of waiting for the loose balls to come their way, they went in for some rash shots, which proved to be their underdoing, ultimately.
So dominating were the NAPSA bowlers that none of the batsmen from IWVCC could reach the double digit mark, with Ashok emerging the top scorer with only 9 runs off 19 balls.
The others who did manage to score were Gyana- ranjan with 5 runs off 11 not out, Sanat Kumar who made a quick 5 runs off 5 balls and Bashanta who compiled 5 runs off 11 balls.
With none of the batsmen really digging in their heels, the bowlers of NAPSA ran through the batting with Puthiba leading the way with 3 wickets.
The other notable wicket takers were Ranjit with two wickets, Bhogen 2 wickets, followed by Goutam and Khelen with one wicket each.
The IWVCC innings folded up for 45 runs in 16 overs.
For his fine show of 57 runs off 56 balls and for picking up one wicket, Goutam of NAPSA bagged the man of the match award.
In the first semi-final to be played on March 8, REYS will take on CHAMP.