SMAT 2024 Group C : Manipur beat Arunachal Pradesh by 20 runs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2024: Manipur ended their 5-game losing streak in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 Group C by defeating Arunachal Pradesh by 20 runs at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai this evening.

Manipur won the toss and posted a fighting 119/9 in the allotted 20 overs before bowling out Arunachal Pradesh for 99 runs in 19.5 overs thanks to brilliant bowling performances from Pheiroijam Jotin (3/11 in 3.5 overs) and Bishworjit Konthoujam (3/18 in 4 overs), and match winning catches by Ngariyanbam Johnson.

Manipur had a sloppy start to their innings and were reduced to 12/2 in 3.1 overs but K Priyojit and Johnson put up 40 runs for the third wicket before Johnson was dismissed for 22 runs in the 9th over.

Priyojit held on before he departed on 36, highest by any State batter today, for the fourth wicket in the 15th over.

Pheiroijam Jotin also added 15 runs in the innings that saw Tadakamalla Mohith (3/18) and Nabam Tempol (3/25) sharing 6 wickets and three other claiming a wicket apiece for Arunachal Pradesh.

Defending their meagre total, RK Rex found the breakthrough early in the second delivery of the match before Pheiroijam Jotin (3/11 in 3.5 overs), Bishworjit Konthoujam (3/18 in 4 overs) and Lamabam Kishan Singha (2/17 in 4 overs) took their turns to disrupt Arunachal Pradesh's cause and eventually set up the 20-run victory.

Chingakham Bidash also claimed a wicket in the form of Prince Yadav 27 who forged the highest 37-run partnership for Arunachal Pradesh with Hardik Varma 35 for the third wicket.

Ng Johnson who managed 22 runs and starred with three important catches including Hardik Verma off the Bishorjit Konthoujam's bowling, was adjudged man of the match.

Manipur will play Himachal Pradesh in the final group match on December 5 at Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC, Mumbai.

The match starts at 1.30 pm .

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