CHAMP go top with triumph over PTRC; REYS, Al-Ameen prevail
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 05 2024: CHAMP replaced CYCLONE at the top of the MNCA Elite Tournament standings with a four-wicket win over PTRC at Public Ground, Khangabok Part-III Cherapur, Thoubal, on Friday.

CHAMP and CYCLONE are level on 12 points from seven matches each, but a better NNR propels the Khagempalli side to the top of the point table.

PTRC, meanwhile, are third and REYS occupy fourth place in the standings.

Both teams are equal on nine points from seven matches.

In the MNCA Elite Tournament, top-four teams qualify for elimination and knockout stage.

Deciding to held, CHAMP bowled out PTRC for 119 in 31.3 overs, with Md Sultan Karim leading the scalping with four wickets as Nitesh Sedai did his bit with three.

Mohd Ahsanul Kabir, Keisham Kennedy and Thingbaijam Nicholson Singh all took one wicket.

Key contributors in CYCLONE'S batting were Jotin Singh Pheiroijam (27), Bish-worjit Singh Konthoujam (22) and Ngariyanbam Johnson Singh (21) .

In reply, CHAMP needed 29.1 overs to achieve the target courtesy of Nitesh Seda (37), Leikhram Johny Singh (25), Md Sultan Karim (18 not out), Moirangthem Thomas Singh (11) and Thingbaijam Nicholson Singh (6 not out).

For CYCLONE, Deepak grabbed three wickets, Bish-worjit Konthoujam took two and Raj Kumar Rex Singh got one.

REYS outplayed CYCLONE by four wickets at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium, and moved up to fourth place in the standings.

REYS bundled out their opponents in 43.4 overs for 128 before they chased down the target for the loss of six wickets.

Kiran Laishram shone with the ball for REYS, claiming four wickets.

Both Nanao Singh Laishram and Pinkey Singh Sanasam picked up two wickets while Md Basir Rahman and Sapam Bikash Singh each bagged one.

Bikash Singh was the lone bright spot for CYCLONE.

He scored 59 off 108 ball as other batters fell cheaply.

In their response, REYS finished off the run chase in 43.1 overs as Mustaque Mohammed came up with a fine 61 and Kiran Laishram was unbeaten on 26, with Sougrakpam Shangkar contributing 17 and Nanao Singh Laishram making 4 not out.

During their chase, two of REYS' wickets fell to Nongthombam Denin, and one each to Loktongbam Santosh Meitei and Abdul Kasim.

Bottom-placed Al-Ameen registered their first win after beating RULE by 38 runs at Lairenjam Public Ground, Imphal.

Batting first, Al-Ameen scored 216/5.Their total revolved around efforts by Khulakpam Shahadat Ali (80) and Md Sharoz Khan (71), with support from Habibullah Ahammed (17 not out) and Mohd Sagir Ahamed (11 not out).

Al-Ameen then dismissed RULE in 31.45 overs for 178 for their convincing victory.

Both Md Karim and Mohammed Shamir Khan played a vital role in their triumph as the duo claimed four wickets each, while Najarul Islam and Mohd Sagir Ahamed got one apiece.

Earlier, Thokchom Kishan Singh was the pick of RULE'S bowling.

He took three wickets.

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