3rd MNCA U-14 Boys Tournament : Th Lucky, L Nelson steer PCC to title trophy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 03 2024: Previous edition's runners up PCC, Mayaikoibi overwhelmed KSDO, Kyamgei by 157 runs in the ultimate clash of the 3rd MNCA U-14 Boys to finally lay their hand on the title trophy here at THAU ground in Thangmeiband today.

PCC chose wisely to bat first and raised a commanding total of 248 runs for 8 wickets in the allotted 30 overs courtesy of a ton from Lucky Thokchom (140 off 77 balls).

PCC then took 22.1 overs to dismiss KSDO for 91 runs riding on Leishangthem Nelson's five-for to walk away Rs 25,000 richer.

3rd MNCA U-14 Boys Tournament : Th Lucky, L Nelson steer PCC to title trophy

PCC had a flourishing start with Lucky Thokchom and Pebam Yoimayai (12) forging a 91-run opening partnership before Yoimayai holed out to Kh Firdos in the third delivery of the 9th over.

Incoming Pravin Kumar was dismissed on 3 in the 12th over after PCC reached 106 but Lucky Thokchom held his ground to stitch another remarkable 71-run partnership off 43 deliveries for the third wicket with Dilshan who was undone by Kh Firdos in the 19th over.

Lucky Thokchom's innings filled with 18 fours and 6 six was however ended in the 21st over as the scoreboard read 201 with Md Abu Sufiyan trapping him lbw in the second delivery of the over.

Much damage was already done by then and PCC crawled to 248/8 by adding 47 runs in last 58 deliveries despite Md Gunbas (2/56 in 5 overs) removing Lamnganba Nongmaithem 1 and Rojer Laishram 22 and Kh Firdos removing Master Boy Anoubam on duck as the last man to return with the best bowling figures of 2/29 in five over.

In reply, KSDO wickets kept tumbling in regular intervals and eventually succumbed to 91 all out in 22.1 overs to finish runners up.

Lucky Thokchom was first to make the breakthrough in this innings by removing Md Abu Sufiyan on 7 for the first wicket before cleaning up S Arish on 2 to reduce KSDO to 15/2 in 4.2 overs.

Leishangthem Nelson then piled further misery on KSDO as he caught and bowled Kh Firdos for 14 runs for the fourth wicket before sweeping four wickets in succession including the scalps of Md Gunbas 6 and Md Soheb 0 in the 20th over to make it 91/9 and Md Zuneid Shah 13 and Md Shadik Israak Hussain 0 in the 22nd over.

Pravin Kumar, who got his first wicket in the form of Sheikh Anzar Ahmed 1, bowled out Md Adanan Raj for 1 to end the KSDO innings at 91 in the first delivery of the 23rd over.

KSDO eventually settled for the runners up prize of Rs 17,000 .

PCC's Lucky not only won the player of the final match accolade worth Rs 1,000 cash prize and a trophy for his all round performance, but also pocketed the man of the series and highest run scorer awards carrying cash prize of Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,500 and trophies for making 631 runs and picking 15 wickets in 8 innings of the tournament.

TRAU's Preethson Arubam, who collected 26 wickets in 7 innings, was adjudged and feted with highest wicket taker award carrying a cash prize of Rs 1,500 as Kh Firdos of KSDO was declared emerging player (Rs 1,000 cash prize) and MPA were adjudged fairplay team.