State U-16 boys achieve historic milestone, clinch Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate Group title
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 05 2024: State U-16 lads have done it.

The U-16 boys cricket team achieved a historic milestone in cricketing history of Manipur, who got full-time BCCI membership back in the 2018-19 season only, by winning the Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate Group title for the season 2023-24 by defeating Meghalaya by an innings and 35 runs on the third day of the final tie at Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.

The maiden BCCI tournament trophy across any age group, came after Manipur senior men's team created history by securing promotion to Ranji Trophy Elite Group after making it to the Plate Group final last year.

State U-16 boys achieve historic milestone, clinch Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate

After bowling out the toss winners Meghalaya for 111 runs in 56.4 overs in the first innings on Day 1 courtesy of pace-spin duo, Md Danish (5/46 in 14 overs) and Naesh Hussain (4/17 in 16.4 overs), Manipur had posted a first innings total of 293 runs in 91.2 overs on the back of an unbeaten ton from skipper Sougaijam Robinson (154 off 261 deliveries) yesterday (Day 2).Continuing the day with their second innings, Meghalaya were 63/2 at stumps and trailing behind by 119 runs.

With pacer Danish (Danish 5/68) and Hanjabam Donba (Donba 3/8) combining well today, Meghalaya had to bundle out for a second innings total of 147 runs to suffer an innings and 35-run defeat to Manipur today.

Resuming the day 3 at 63/2 (in 29 overs) with D Nandi (39) and G Narleng (3), Meghalaya had to see G Narleng retire hurt after adding 8 more runs to his tally.

Md Danish then had D Nandi removed for 55 runs (off 125 balls) to reduce Meghalaya to 98 for 3 in 37.4 overs and completed his treble by removing Ak Lohar for a golden duck the next delivery.

Naesh Hussain then bowled out H Ryngkhlem for 7 runs to make it 101/5 after 45.2 overs and piled further misery on Meghalaya today.

M Sutunga who subbed in for G Narleng, holed out to T Nganba off the Danish bowling for 4 runs in the 51st over before Danish completed his fifer by setting up S Roy catch to T Nganba yet again and further reduced Meghalaya to 120/7 after 56.3 overs.

Y Achouba then trapped P Ali lbw for 5 runs to make the scoreboard read 133 for 8 after 61.1 overs before Hanjabam Donba bowled out Bj Makdoh for the ninth wicket and set up GJ Thakuria's catch for 23 runs to finish the demolition job.

With the end of the Meghalaya innings at 147 in 68.2 overs, Danish, who enjoyed a fifer in the first innings returned with the best figures of 5/68 in 19 overs that included 4 maidens while Donba finished with 3/8 in 5.2 overs with an impressive economy 1.50 (runs per over) .

En route to the major breakthrough, Manipur had secured comprehensive group stage victories against Mizoram (by 156 runs), Nagaland (by 9 wickets), Arunachal Pradesh (by an innings and 259 runs) and Meghalaya (by an innings and 73 runs) and drew with Sikkim after enjoying first innings lead to end the Group stage at the top of the table.

They carried forward their form to secure an innings and 114 run victory against Mizoram again in the Plate Group semi-final to set up the final date with Meghalaya, who on the other hand beat Nagaland to earn the final berth.

Brief Scores
Meghalaya 111 in 56.4 overs (RS Rathor 49, H Ryngkhlem 26; Danish 5/46 in 14 overs, Naesh 4/17 in 16.4 overs) and 147 in 68.2 overs (D Nandi 55, GJ Thakuria 23; Danish 5/68 in 19 overs, Donba 3/8 in 5.2 overs)
Manipur 293 in 91.2 overs (Sougaijam Robinson 154, Naesh 29, Thomsan 24; Ak Lohar 3/61 in 29 overs, A Marak 3/ 68 in 29 overs, GJ Thakuria 2/58 in 17 overs) .