8th MNCA Elite Tournament : CHAMP go top with sixth win as REYS end CYCLONE's 6-game winning run
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 05 2024: CHAMP, Khagempalli cruised to their 6th win to go top of the 8th MNCA Elite Tournament table above CYCLONE, Thangmeiband whose 6-game winning streak ended with a 4-wicket loss to REYS, Nagamapal.

CHAMP posted their sixth win in 7 matches thumping PTRC, Patsoi Part IV by 4 wickets at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground today courtesy of Nitesh Sedai's all round performance.

CHAMP who chose to bowl first and bundle out PTRC for 119 runs in 31.3 overs and cruised to a winning total of 121 runs for 6 wickets in 29.1 overs.

8th MNCA Elite Tournament

PTRC had an unsettling outing today as Md Sultan Karim (4/6 in 4.3 overs) and Nitesh Sedai (3/23 in 8 overs) combined well to dispatch PTRC batters regularly.

Jotin Pheiroijam 27, Bishorjit Konthoujam 22, Ngariyanbam Johnson 21 and Chingakham Bidash 15 were the double digit run getters for the team as 6 other batters departed cheaply.

In reply, CHAMP too had a shaky start but struggled their way to winning 121 thanks to Nitesh Sedai 37, Leikhram Johny 25 and Md Sultan Karim 18 not out despite Deepak (3/16) and Bishorjit Konthoujam (2/14) trying to contain the CHAMP run rate.

Nitesh Sedai was adjudged man of the match.

CYCLONE suffer first defeat in 7 matches

Meanwhile, CYCLONE slipped to second place in the table as they went down by 4 wickets to REYS at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium after maintaining a stellar 6-game winning streak.

The result also lifted REYS to 4th place in the table with four wins from 7 matches.

CYCLONE gathered only 128 runs today in 43.4 overs after choosing to bat first and REYS reached the target losing 6 wickets in 43.1 overs.

Kiran Laishram (4/26 in 9 overs that include 2 maidens) , Nanao Laishram (2/22 in 9 overs) and Pinkey Sanasam (2/24 in 8 overs) were in action today to restrict CYCLONE to a lowly total today.

Only Bikash 59 off 108 balls, was the highlight for the Thangmeiband team in their innings which also saw Md Basir Rahman and Sapam Bikash of REYS pick up a wicket apiece.

In reply, Mustaque Mohammed hit a 121-ball 61and Kiran Laishram was unbeaten 26 off 88 balls to see REYS to the target.

Nongthombam Denin (2/21 in 9 overs) was the pick of the REYS's bowlers as Loktongbam Santosh and Abdul Kasim chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Kiran Laishram who enjoyed a four wicket haul was adjudged man of the match.

Al-Ameen thrash RULE by 38 runs

Elsewhere at Lairenjam Public Ground, Al-Ameen, Lilong defeated RULE, Meitram by 38 runs for the first win in 7 matches.

Al-Ameen racked up 216 runs for 5 wickets in 45 overs courtesy of Khulakpam Shahadat Ali 80 off 116 runs and Md Sharoz Khan 72 despite Thokchom Kishan's prolific bowling performance.

In reply, RULE lost Chabungbam Ishworjit on a 5-ball duck in the first over but fought their way back with the help of Sanjenbam Suresh 51 (off 60 balls, 6 fours and 2 sixes), Jay Singh 26, RK Herachandra 23 and Sanjembam Somokanta 24.Md Karim (4/12 in 4.5 overs) and Md Shamir Khan (4/14 in 6 overs) however gradually gained ground with their exceptional bowling performances and bundled out RULE for 178 runs within 31.5 overs.

Md Shamir Khan was named man of the match.