1st MNCA Super Plate: Maheshkumar hits half century as YWC-L cruise to sixth straight win
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 30 2022: YWC-L, Langthabal rode on N gangbam Maheshkumar's half century to beat PSC, Khuyathong for the 6th straight win and to consolidate pole position in Group A standings of the ongoing 1st MNCA Super Plate Tournament 2021-22.The win also ensured the Langthabal side a semi-final berth of the crucial competition which finallists will be promoted to the Elite tier.

Winning the toss here at Langthabal Public Ground, YWC-L stacked up 171 for all wickets down in 30.2 overs and successfully defended the total by restricting PSC, Khuyathong to 141 for 7 in allotted 35 overs.

PSC held sway over YWC batters early on as the later team were reduced to 25-4 after 7 overs as pacer Laimayum Prasantajit removed Seram Robin on 2, Jiko Sorokhaibam on 9 and Ngangbam Bishwash on duck and Lamabam Martin dismissed Ngangbam Bikramjit on duck.

Heisnam Manikanta (30, 2x4) and Ngangbam Maheshkumar (51, 5x4) then set up the recovery path for YWC before Ngangbam Bingson Singh played his part by adding 35.PSC's Prasantajit returned with the best bowling figures of 4/20 in 6.2 overs while Martin ended up with a three wicket haul (2/32 in 7 overs).

Even as the bowlers performed well and Prasantajit added 49-ball 44, PSC could not set the pace and eventually wrapped up the chase 30 runs away with 3 wickets left in hand.

Kharaijam Sagarjit also managed 30 in the innings which saw Leishangthem Bishorjit of YWC apply breaks by snapping three wickets alone for 25 runs in 7 overs which contained a maiden.

YWCs Heisnam Manikanta, Albert Sorokhaibam and Ngangbam Bishwash also clinched a wicket apiece to ensure their team a comfortable win.

Ngangbam Maheshkumar of YWC was eventually named man of the match.

Muvanlai Athletic Foundation, New Lambulane meanwhile beat THAU, Thangmeiband by 5 wickets at Model Hr Secondary School and Oriental College ground for the second win in Group A competition.

THAU won the toss and opted to bat first but had to bundled out for just 59 runs after 16.4 overs as MAF's Khaikhotinlal Haokip (4/4 in 4 overs) and Gouminlun (3/7 in 5.4 overs) wreaked havoc with their medium pace attack.

Huidrom Sanjit emerged THAU's top run getter with 30 runs in his name in the innings which also saw Avinash Asmali of MAF taking two wickets for 22 runs and Sanjay Kaphle claiming one.

In reply, MAF took only 12.2 overs to post the winning 62 at the cost of 5 wickets.

Shibadutta Singh Ningthoujam (13) and Thangtingou Sitlhou (9) were on the crease after a shaky start as they cruised to second win and handed THAU five straight losses in the tourney.

Khaikhotinlal Haokip of MAF was adjudged man of the match.

Elsewhere at Luwangpokpa Cricket Ground, YUCC-Kwakeithel Moirangpurel earned third win in five matches of Group B competition as they thrashed KASC, Khomidok by 8 wickets.

After opting to field first, YUCC bowlers Khundrakpam Punsiba Mangang (4/20 in 8 overs) and Ningthoujam Amarjit Singh (4/12 in 5 overs) ripped through the KASC batting line and bowled out the same for 111 runs in 33 overs.

Azan Khan (25), Washim Akram (17) and Md Ali Karim (16) were the notable batters KASC had today before Ningthoujam Sanjit Singh (38), Laishram Bidyashwor (26) sealed the deal for YUCC within 25 overs in the chase.

Ningthoujam Thoiba 11 and Ningthoujam Rohit 15 also batted responsibly as YUCC reached 112 for 2 to hand KASC fifth loss in the tourney.

Md Babu and Md Javed Aktar of KASC picked a wicket each in the innings.

Khundrakpam Punshiba who led the YUCC bowling attack, was named man of the match.

Tomorrow's match
KCC vs PTCC at Model Hr Secondary and Oriental College ground.

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