CYCLONE, CHAMP kickstart 5th Luwangpokpa T-20 Trophy on winning notes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 23 2025: CYCLONE, Thangmeiband and CHAMP, Khagempalli kicked off their league campaigns in the ongoing 5th MNCA Luwangpokpa T-20 Trophy on winning notes today.

At Model Hr Sec and Oriental College ground, CYCLONE romped to a 52-run victory against SCCC, Singjamei Thongam Leikai in the Group B opener thanks to Loktongbam Santosh leading bowling performance.

CYCLONE, CHAMP kickstart 5th Luwangpokpa T-20 Trophy on winning notes

Put in to bat first, CYCLONE gathered 168 runs before losing all the wickets in 19.4 overs as SCCC bowlers put in a concerted effort.

Loktongbam Santosh 39 off 21, Md Al Bashid 36 off 19, Nongthombam Denin 28 and Abdul Kasim 21 off 16 were the main run getters for CYCLONE.

CYCLONE however successfully defended their total by bowling out SCCC for 116 runs in 18.5 overs courtesy of Loktongbam Santosh (4/18) who claimed four crucial wickets to derail the chase.

Nongthombam Denin (2/19) and Kisham Laishram (2/24) also claimed two wickets apiece while N Suraj (1/34) and Abdul Kasim (1/13) bagged a wicket apiece for CYCLONE.

Hidangmayum Rakeshwor Republic (3/33 in 3.4 overs), Khaidem Lishan (2/33) and Khaidem Joyraj (2/45) led the SCCC bowling attack earlier before Phijam Langamba 26 not out off 29, Kh Ullenyai 22 off 17 and L Ronson 21 led the scoring in a lost cause.

L Santosh was eventually adjudged man of the match.

Later in the day, CHAMP CC, Khagempalli registered a 5-wicket win over CRAU, Khamnam Bazar in the Group C opener.

CHAMP restricted toss winners CRAU to 120/8 riding on Chingkham Ranjan (3/20 in 4 overs) and Md Sultan Karim (3/39) before Samir anchored with an unbeaten 77 off 45 in the chase to take the team to the target in 13.3 overs with 5 wickets left to spare.

Ayekpam Rakesh 34 off 25 and Ph Jodash 29 off 19 were the leading run getters for CRAU in the first innings before K Sanatomba, Kh Prakash, Th Joychandra and Bm Sabakhan all shared a wicket apiece in a lost cause.

Samir who led the chase was named man of the match.