CYLCONE, PTRC set up MNCA Elite final showdown
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 12 2025: CYLCONE outclassed CHAMP Cricket Club by 50 runs in their Qualifier 2 clash on Wednesday to set up title clash with PTRC in the 9th MNCA Elite Tournament 2024-25 .

CYCLONE after being put into bat, faced early troubles as their top order crumbled under pressure.

Captain Loktongbam Santosh Meitei (5 off 7) and Ningthoujam Tholba Singh (6 off 8) fell cheaply, leaving CYCLONE at 12/2 within the first four overs.

The situation worsened when Thomsan Moirangthem (9 off 18) was dismissed, leaving the team reeling at 31/3 .

However, Muhammed Al Bashid, the wicketkeeper-batsman, stepped up with a composed and gritty innings.

His 49 off 78 balls, including 4 boundaries, was the backbone of CYCLONE's innings.

He anchored the middle order, forming crucial partnerships with Abdul Kasim (14 off 30) and Kishan Laishram (8 off 16).Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, CYCLONE managed to stay afloat, thanks to Bashids determination.

The late surge came from Reolin Dinam, who played a blistering cameo of 19 off just 9 balls, including 2 fours and a six.

His explosive batting in the death overs propelled CYCLONE to a respectable total of 158 all out in 34.2 overs.

For CHAMP, Chingakham Ranjan Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 wickets for 42 runs, while captain Md Sultan Karim chipped in with 3 crucial wickets.

Chasing 159 for victory, CHAMP s innings got off to a disastrous start.

Md Ageel, CYCLONE'S star bowler, wreaked havoc early on, dismissing Yumnam Karnajit (1 off 2) and Leikhram Johny Singh (4 off 20) in quick succession.

Ageel's fiery spell left CHAMP struggling at 23/3 within the first seven overs.

The middle order failed to stabilise the innings, with Samir (4 off 10) and Chingakham Ranjan Singh (4 off 2) falling cheaply.

Sunder Yumnam (11 off 17) and Mohd Ahsanul Kabir (10 off 50) tried to rebuild, but the required run rate kept climbing, and wickets continued to tumble.

The only resistance came from CHAMP's captain Md Sultan Karim, who played a valiant knock of 39 not out off 46 balls, including 5 boundaries.

However, with no support from the other end, his efforts were in vain.

CHAMP's innings eventually folded for 108 in 29.2 overs, handing CYCLONE a comprehensive 50-run victory.

Md Ageel was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with remarkable figures of 5 wickets for just 20 runs in 7 overs.

His ability to strike at crucial moments dismantled CHAMP's batting lineup and earned him the player of the match accolade.

CYCLONE will be up against PTRC in the final on Friday, March 14, 2025 .

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