Waikhom Ganga dazzles as THAU clinch 2nd MNCA Women's One Day Trophy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 02 2023: Waikhom Ganga gave a scintillating final performance to help THAU-Thangmeiband lift 2nd MNCA Women's One Day Trophy organised by Manipur Cricket Association at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium, Luwangsangbam.

THAU won the toss and gathered 240 runs for 9 in allotted 35 overs after electing to bat first and held PTRC to 135 for 9 in 34.1 overs to earn the title trophy and walked away Rs 40,000 richer.

THAU's massive total came on the back of half centuries from Kalpana Devi Keisham (79 off 91 balls, 7x4, 2x6) and Waikhom Ganga (61 off 43 balls, 9x4 and 1x6) after Seterny Devi who have been a consistent run getter for the team was bowled out by RK Linthoingambi on golden duck in the very first ball of the innings.

Waikhom Ganga dazzles as THAU clinch 2nd MNCA Women's One Day Trophy

Kalpana and Waikhom Ganga forged a 94 runs second wicket partnership to give THAU a promising start but Kiranbala Palujam undone Waikhom Ganga for the second wicket after 15.2 overs.

Kalpana then played anchor and gathered 57 runs with Ronibala Chanu (18) and took THAU past the 150 run mark.

Manimacha who dismissed Ronibala for the third wicket also went on to bowl out Milan Chanu for 21 runs before removing Kalpana for the fifth wicket to close a chapter of THAU innings and complete her third wicket haul in the 28th over.

Monica also added 19 runs to THAU's tally before RK Linthoingambi Devi bowled her out for the 7th wicket in the 31st over.

The remaining order had little contributions before the innings, which saw PTRC bowlers concede 27 extra, ended with a total score of 240 runs.

Manimacha of PTRC emerged with the best bowling figures of 3/56 in 7 overs while RK Linthoingambi finished with 2/39 in 7 over as Linthoingambi Laishram, Kiranbala Palujam and Binomala Chingangbam shared a wicket each.

In reply, PTRC were slow off the block and were reduced to 25 for 2 in 4.3 overs as W Ganga trapped Kiranbala lbw for 1 run and Ranjita Devi got run out for 8 runs.

RK Linthoingambi (63 off 64 balls, 4x4, 1x6) and Binomala Chanu (22 off 31 balls, 3x4) collected 46 runs for the third wicket partnership but both the batters got run out while trying to keep the scoreboard ticking.

After 93 for 4 in 20.5 overs, it was all downhill for PTRC as Bidyarani (5), Thadoisana Akoijam (0) got run out cheaply, Linthoingambi Laishram (1) was bowled out by Niruta Thoudam, Manimacha Angom (2) holed out to Seterny Brahmacharimayum for 2 off Milan Chanu's delivery and Konsam Sayatombi (0) was injured and had to retire.

Waikhom Ganga who scored 61 runs and picked up a wicket was adjudged woman of the match and feted with a cash prize of Rs 1,000 and a trophy.

Not only this, Waikhom Ganga also claimed woman of the series (cash prize of Rs 2,500 and a trophy) and highest run scorer (cash prize of Rs 1,500 and a trophy) titles for her feat of 478 runs and 7 wickets in 6 innings .

Notably she had slammed three centuries on the way to her tremendous total of 478 runs.

Alish Thokchom of AKSDO who is 11 years and 4 months old was adjudged most emerging player having claimed 8 wickets in 5 innings and feted with a cash prize of Rs 1,000 and a trophy while Haorungbam Kiranbala of THAU who scalped 10 wickets in 6 innings emerged highest wicket taker and was feted with a cash prize of Rs 1,500 and a trophy.

Meanwhile, runners up PTRC, Patsoi Part IV were also feted with a cash prize of Rs 30,000 and a trophy.