MNCA Elite Tournament CYCLONE book semi-final ticket with win over TRAU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 06 2021: CYCLONE, Thangmeiband earned their third win and book the semi-final berth by beating TRAU, Kwakeithel in the final (fifth) Group D league match of the MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite tournament today at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium, Luwangsangbam.

Having won the toss, TRAU opted to field first and held CYCLONE to 133 for 8 in the stipulated 30 overs.

TRAU however had to regret their decision to field first as they bundled out for a meagre 85 in 28.2 overs thereby giving CYCLONE full points.

CYCLONE started their innings on a poor note as they slipped to 11/2 after Narsingh Yadav (5) and Longjam Ronald (2) fell cheaply but Thoudam Akshay Kumar (31), Kishan Laishram and Bikash Singh (26) helped the team cross the hundred run mark.

The innings saw TRAU's Anand Naorem snatching three wickets after Priyojit Kangabam (2/20 in 6 overs) inflicted early damage to CYCLONE.

Rajesh Patel and Dr Siddharth Shah also chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Despite the meagre target in sight, TRAU had a horrendous start to their innings as Pukhrambam Prafullomani was dismissed by CYCLONE bowler K Homendro on the very first ball.

Roger Elangbam (5) too departed on paltry score before Skipper Rahul Rajkumar did his best to control the damage but CYCLONE's Thoudam Akshaykumar sent him packing on 27 reducing TRAU to 54 for 3 .

The other batsmen also fell on lowly scores as CYCLONE bowlers wreaked havoc.

Thoudam Akshaykumar was the pick of CYCLONE bowlers as he scalped Priyojit Kangabam and Dr Siddhart Shah as well to finish with the bowling figure of 6-0-19-3 (three wickets for 19 runs in 6 overs).

Laishram Roshan Singh of CYCLONE also snapped two to force TRAU to slump at 85 all out with 8 balls left to play.

Kambrambam Homendro, Kishan Laishram and Nongmaithem Suraj also bowled efficiently and earned a wicket each.

Thoudam Akshaykumar of CYCLONE who shone with both the bat and the ball was named man of the match.

With the win, CYCLONE finished Group runners up on 7 points from three wins and 1 tied match.

Two bottom teams (5th and 6th placed), each from Group A and B, will now compete in the Round-robin matches (relegation matches) for top two places to avoid relegation to Super Plate Group.

On March 8, Group B's 5th placed - REYS, Nagamapal and 6th placed - YWC, Langthabal will open up the relegation match at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium.

The other two teams from Group A who will be playing in this round are Al-Ameen (5th place) and THAU, Thangmeiband (6th place) .

Comment