9th MNCA Plate Tournament : KSDO complete Group B league stage sweep, NAPSA slip to Group A second
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2025: KSDO, Kyamgei crushed KIYC, Kshetrigao by 326 runs to complete Group B campaign in the 9th MNCA Plate Toumament with 7 of 7 wins as NAPSA slipped to Group A second with an 84-run victory to MPA.

The penultimate Group B match saw KSDO rack up 342 runs for 6 wickets after winning the toss at Lairenjam Public Ground thanks to blistering tons from Tarique Aziz (117 off 72 balls) and Abdul Rafique (101 off 69 balls).

KSDO then bowled out KIYC, Kshetrigao for 16 runs in 10.2 overs riding on prolific bowling performances from Lakimbur (5/7 in 5.2 overs) and Md Shah Jahan (4/4 in 4 overs) to finish atop Group B and qualified for the knock-out round.

For KIYC, Saddam, Md Abdulla Khan, Th Rajiv, Kh Rabichandra, Kawif and Ph Pikeshor picked a wicket apiece before they slumped to 16 all out.

9th MNCA Plate Toumament

Md Abdulla Khan on 3 was the highest run getters for KIYC as five batters departed on ducks-three to Md Shah Jahan and two to Lakimbur.

Lakimbur of KSDO was adjudged player of the match.

Elsewhere at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground, MPA stunned NAPSA by handing an 84-run defeat to cap their Group A league campaign with 4 wins (in 8 matches).

The result also forced NAPSA to slip from pole position to second in the Group table below KCDO, Kongpal who now have better net run rate (1.258 against NAPSA's 0.782).KCDO are also assured of at least second place finish in the league table and a semifinal ticket while the result of the final Group A league match between another semifinal contenders IBSA, Yumnam Leikai and SHADOW, Thangmeiband will determine NAPSA's final standing.

Electing to bat first, MPA were able to pile up 191 runs for 8 wickets in the allotted 31 overs thanks to sensible knocks from Huidrom Dhanashyam (47 off 40 balls; 1 four and 3 sixes), Chingtham Albish (37 off 57 balls; 4 fours and 1 six) and Elangbam Rohit (33 off 31 balls; 5 fours and 1 six).

Heisnam Boney (2/21), Albert Sorokhaibam (2/32) and Tongbram Dhanakuber (2/36) managed two wickets apiece for NAPSA.

9th MNCA Plate Toumament

In reply, NAPSA had a good start with the openers forging 56 runs.

Bipin's departure on 13 to Yumnam Sheiteendra in the 2nd delivery of the 9th over, however, proved the turning point as incoming Y Bijiykaran was trapped lbw for a 4-ball duck four balls later.

Another opener Heisnam Boney then fell to Vivekraj Chabungbam on 35 in the 10th over and things went downhill from there with MPA bowlers taking full control of the innings to dismiss NAPSA for 107 runs within 22 overs.

Vivekraj Chabungbam returned with the best bowling figures of 3/15 in his spell of 4 overs while Y Sheiteendra (2/31), Th Chinglensana (2/ 36) and Chongtham Priyokumar (2/12) shared a bulk of 6 wickets between them.

Vivekraj Chabungbam was also adjudged player of the match.