CRAU, RULE secure victories to avoid relegation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 24 2023:
CRAU-Khamnam Bazar and RULE-Malom survived relegation scares in the 7th MNCA W Ramananda and W Prahlada Elite Toumament by securing their fourth wins today at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium and Khangabok Part III Cherapur Public Ground respectively.
At Luwangpokpa, CRAU sealed a 25 run victory over TRAU by restricting TRAU to 215 runs for 7 in the chase after posting a modest total of 240 runs for 7 .
CRAU had a brilliant start to their innings after opting to bat first as Sanatomba K and Lamabam Jotin forged a first wicket partnership of 149 runs off 139 deliveries before Sanatomba was trapped lbw by Yumnam Amritakaran for 51 runs.
L Jotin had the same fate just after 12 deliveries (25.1) and had to walk out with the highest 86 off 70 balls for the second wicket.
His knock included 6 fours and 4 sixes.
Yumnam Amritakaran who trapped Jotin lbw for his second wicket also completed his three wicket haul by removing Dijen Singh for 10-ball 3 the same over (25.5).The team further slumped to 157 for 4 in 26.2 overs with Thounaojam Rishikanta trapping Mehtab Jamal lbw for 1 and the quick wickets slowed down the momentum for a while before Ronil Potshangbam (25 off 33 balls) and Khangenbam Bimol (21 off 28 balls) took CRAU past the 200 run mark.
Govind Ayekpam also contributed 16 runs off 13 balls and Lamabam Ajay was unbeaten on 13 when the innings ended at 240 for 7.Yumnam Amritakaran returned with the best bowling figures of 3/30 in 8 overs as Thounaojam Rishikanta finished with 2/41 in 8 overs and Priyojit picked one.
In the chase, TRAU had a positive start but suffered a jolt as Pukhrambam Prafullomani had to retire hurt for 24 runs at 52 runs before Kamajit Yumnam was caught and bowled by Lamabam Ajay for 30 runs.
Kamajit's dismissal was followed by a flurry of wickets and the team were reduced to 169 for 7 in 35.2 overs as Dinu Sarangthem (3/34) and Heishnam Joyhenba (3/34) wreaked havoc to claim three wickets each.
Thounaojam Rishikanta led TRAU to a late fightback with an quickfire 53 (not out) off just 39 balls along with Yumnam Amritakaran (13 not out off 9 balls) late on but the asking rate was too big by then and eventually wrapped up the chase at 215 runs.
Lamabam Jotin who topscored with 86 runs led CRAU to fourth win in 9 matches, was adjudged man of the match.
Elsewhere at Khangabok Part III Cherapur Public Ground, RULE bowled out toss winners Al-Ameen for a paltry total of 136 runs in 30 overs and chased down the target in 21 overs to end their campaign with a massive 8 wickets victory.
It was the fourth win for the team in as many as 11 matches and it helped the team avoid relegation by climbing to 8th position with 9 points.
Nongthombam Sarojkumar of RULE enjoyed a four wicket haul (4/ 14 in 8 overs which include 2 maidens) and Jay Singh (2/35) and Rojit Angomcha (2/ 26) shared two wickets each to set up Al-Ameen collapse at 136 runs.
Khullakpam Shahadat was the highest run getter for Al-Ameen with 26 runs followed by Akram Khan (22), Md Al Bashid (21) and Mustaque Mohammed (20) .
In reply, RULE lost Raj Kumar Hemachandra (27) and Sanjenbam Suresh (28) before Jay Singh (43 off 23 balls, 6 fours and 2 sixes) and Sanjenbam Somokanta (21 off 16 balls, 2 sixes and 2 fours) finished off the chase with ease.
Nongthombam Sarojkumar of RULE who shone with the ball earned himself man of the match accolade.
Tomorrow's matches
SCCC vs MODEL at Khangabok
MPSC vs REYS at Luwangsangbam .