L Elan stars as RRCC beat KIYC by 5 runs in MNCA Plate Tourney
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 30 2022: Louriyam Elan shone with both the bat and ball to help RRCC, Churachandpur eke out a narrow 5 run victory against KIYC, Kshetrigao in a Group B league match of the ongoing 6th MNCA Plate Tournament at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, RRCC were bowled out for a moderate total of 200 runs in 35.5 overs but redeemed themselves to hold KIYC at 195/ 6 in 36 overs (curtailed) for the first win.

Louriyam Elan put up a brave fight in their innings to notch up 70 off 101 balls in this innings which saw Md Abdulla Khan wreaking havoc on the way to his four wicket haul (4/50 in 6.5 overs) .

The opening partnership between Elan and P Kamzamang racked up 64 runs in 10.5 overs before Md Aman trapped Kamzamang lbw for 27 runs and Haojalen who came in for Kamzamang partnered well with Elan to add another 29 run and ensured RRCC reach the 100 mark.

With Abdul Hamid bowling out Haojalen and despite Elan holding up, RRCC innings was greatly hindered as Abdul Hamid took two more wickets to derail the momentum.

RRCC's hope of recovery got further distant with Md Abdulla Hamid removing Elan for 70 for the sixth wicket.

Abdulla then swept the tail - Abishek Sharma (8), Ningthoujam Shayamsunder (14) and Thangkhopao (14) to put an end to the RRCC innings.

In the chase, KIYC started slowly and were reduced to 24 for 1 with the completion of 6th over as Thangkhopao removed Md Farhat for 6 but the 63 run second wicket stand between Md Abdul Hamid (40) and Md Kurban Khan (38) gave KIYC some reprieve before Sahil Kumar broke the partnership in the 22nd over by bowling out Md Abdul Hamid.

Louriyam Elan then piled further misery on KIYC by removing Geetchandra Moirangthem for 4 and Kurban to leave KIYC struggling at 126 for 4 in 26.4 overs.

Pankaj Hazarika then dismissed Aneesh Ahmed for 22 and Md Kaosar for 1 to apply further break to the chase.

From 138 for 6 in 29.4 overs, Najir Ali (31 off 27) and Mohammed Abdullah Khan (27 off 23) fought back but their effort fell short and the chase eventually succumbed 6 runs away from the win.

Louriyam Elan who produced an all-round performance was eventually named man of the match.

Tomorrow's matches
SSU vs UCC at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium
YWC-P vs YAC at Langthabal Public Ground.

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