Manipur end 5-game losing run at SMATL Ajay picks four, Basir Rahman hits 61 in Manipur's 8 wicket win over Arunachal Pradesh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 25 2023: Manipur ended the five game losing streak in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023 Group C competition with a convincing 8-wicket win over Arunachal Pradesh at JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi courtesy impressive performances from Lamabam Ajay and Basir Rahman.

Arunachal Pradesh won the toss and elected to bat first but they were restricted to 131 for 7 before Manipur rushed to winning 135 for 2 within 16.3 overs with 8 wickets left to spare thanks to a half century by Basir Rahman (61 off 53 balls) .

Although Arunachal Pradesh had a bright start, Lamabam Ajay spun web around their batters to remove four key batters and apply break to the innings before RK Rex completed his two wicket haul to further give pressure on Arunachal Pradesh batters.

Lamabam Ajay found the breakthrough as he bowled out Ayush Awasthi for 31 runs in the 7th over.

Arunachal Pradesh were further reduced to 92 for 2 at the end of the 13th over as impact player Aryan Sahani who replaced Avinash Thapa got run out for 26 runs.

Lamabam Ajay then removed Arunachal Pradesh skipper Neelam Obi (34) and Myendung Singpho (1) in the 3rd and the last deliveries of the 16th over to reduce Arunachal Pradesh to 104-4 .

RK Rex then undone Apramaya Jaiswal (4) for the fifth wicket in the first delivery of the 17th over.

Lamabam Ajay then completed his fourth wicket haul by getting rid of Techi Doria (2) in the 18th over before RK Rex bowled out Sagar Rana in the 19th over.

Lamabam Ajay returned with the bowling figures of 4/19 in four overs as RK Rex finished with 2/28 in four overs.

Chasing 132 for the win, Basir Rahman forged an impressive 60-run partnership with Kangabam Priyojit before Priyojit (24) was caught and bowled by Techi Doria for the first wicket in the 7th over.

Basir Rahman stayed calm and forged another 53 run partnership for the second wicket with Prafullomani (14) and steered Manipur to a sniffing distance of comfortable win.

Basir Rahman's knock included 8 fours and 1 six before he was removed by Singpho in the 15th over to make it 113 for 2 .

Ngariyanbam Johnson (8-ball 20) who came in for Basir then lit up the chase by hitting 3 fours and ended the chase with a superb six off the Singpho's third delivery of the 16th over .

Manipur will play Gujarat in the last Group C match of the tournament at JSCA Oval Ground Ranchi on October 27.The match starts at 1.30 pm .

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