RCA beat PCC by 13 runs to claim title of 2nd MNCA U-14 Boys Tournament
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 30 2023: RCA-Lilong emerged champions of the 2nd MNCA U-14 Boys Tournament as they defeated PCC-Mayaikoibi by 13 runs in a keenly contested final clash today at PTRC Ground, Patsoi Part IV.

RCA amassed a competitive total of 208 runs for all wickets down in 30 overs after electing to bat first and managed to hold PCC for 195 runs for 5 in the chase for the 13 run victory.

Zuned blazed off 8 fours and 2 sixes to topscore for RCA with a 53-ball 65 after Md Samir Khan smacked 3 fours and 5 sixes to set up the momentum by forging 67 runs for the first wicket with Md Anush (16), before he was bowled out by Pravin Kumar for 19-ball 43 for the second wicket at 72 in 6.1 overs.

RCA beat PCC by 13 runs to claim title of 2nd MNCA U-14 Boys Tournament

Zuned played anchor even as he saw his partners fell in regular succession with Lucky Thokchom (3/42 in 6 overs) and Lamnganba (2/16 in 6 overs) sharing five wickets but Pravin Kumar got rid of Zuned for the 8th wicket in the 25th over.

Pravin then completed his third wicket haul by removing Farhan Ahmed on 2 for the last wicket.

The total could have been lessened had PCC bowlers not conceded 41 extras .

PCC skipper Chabungbam Paikhomba also had the most expensive three overs as he conceded 42 runs.

In reply, PCC had a sloppy start losing both Dilshan (1) and Lucky Thokchom (26) to Nawas Sharif within 5.3 overs at 36 runs.

Pravin Kumar was then cleaned up by Albas Khan for 27 runs in the 16th over before Gopinath Lourangbam (48) and Lamnganba Nongmaithem gave PCC a slimmer of hope by gathering 73 runs for the fourth wicket and took the tally past the 150 run mark.

Gopinath however holed out to Zuned off Md Irfan's 2nd delivery of the 26th over.

Md Irfan also bowled out Chabungam Paikhomba for a 1-ball duck the next delivery.

Lamnganba Nongmaithem (41) and Rojer Laishram (19) did their best to keep the chase alive for PCC with an unbeaten 6th wicket partnership but the asking rate was too high for them .

Nawaz returned with the best figures of 2/24 in 6 overs as Md Irfan finished with 2/33 in 5 overs.

Zuned of RCA who scored highest run for RCA was adjudged man of the match and feted with a cash prize of Rs 1,000 .

Winners RCA walked away Rs 25,000 richer along with the title trophy as PCC settled for runners' up prize of Rs 17,000 and a Trophy.

AKSDO-Khangabok were adjudged fairplay team and feted with a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a trophy.

Star player of the day, Zuned also emerged the highest run scorer of the tournament and the player of the series as he amassed 433 runs and picked 9 wickets in as many as 7 innings and thus pocketed a cash prize of Rs 4,000 (1,500+2,500) .

Mutum Swabhiman was declared most emerging player (Rs 1,500) and emerged joint winner of highest wicket taker (Rs 1,000 each) with Lamnganba Nongmaithem of PCC as both scalped 16 wickets.