TCMDC beat KASC by 5 wickets to win 2nd MNCA U-19 Men's Tournament title
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 05 2024: TCMDC, Thongju Part II Pechu Lampak were crowned the champions of the 2nd MNCA U-19 Men's Cricket Tournament organised by the Manipur Cricket Association.

TCMDC bowlers stole the show at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground as they bundled out KASC, Khomidok for 118 runs in 32.1 overs after opting to field first and cruised to the target in 24 overs with five wickets left to spare.

KASC had a forgetful start losing both the openers cheaply to pacer Nepram Richer and were struggling at 7/2 at the end of the first powerplay (1 to 8 overs).

They further slipped to 34/ 4 in 17.3 overs losing Md Sharif Khan to Albert Sorokhaibam and Mustaque to Thomson in quick succession before Bm Afsar and Mustaque calmed things down for a while and took KASC to a slow 50 after 22 overs.

TCMDC medium pacer Vishonath however ended their partnership of 43 runs off 52 balls for the fifth wicket by bowling out Bm Afsar on 22 in the first delivery of the 23 rd over.

Md Aqeel, however, held on and was on 46 before he hit Vishonath Laishram for a six towards the long on in the 5th delivery of the 29th over to complete his half century as well as take KASC to 102 .

Aqeel hit another lofted shot for a six the very next delivery of the expensive over that saw Vishonath concede 15 runs.

Nepram Richer, however, trapped Md Aqeel lbw on 59 for the 6th wicket three balls into the next over to complete his haul of three wickets and return with the best bowling figures of 7-2-11-3 (three wickets for 11 runs in 7 overs of which two were maidens) .

Pacer Rain Urikhinbam who had best bowling economy in the day ended his wait for a breakthrough by bowling out Wakip Sheikh on a 5-ball duck to finish with the bowling figures of 1/7 in 7 overs that contain 4 maidens before Laishram Valindra spun web to dismiss Fm Sharif on 3 and Md Riyajuddin on a golden duck in the second and third delivery of the 32nd over.

Valindra went on to set up Md Abdulla's run out to end KASC innings at 118 after 32.1 overs.

Chasing 119 for the victory, TCMDC started cautiously and were 42/1 after first powerplay losing Pukhrambam Rohit on 24 to Md Aqeel in the fifth over.

Incoming Thomsan was caught at point as he attempted a cut shot off left arm pacer Fm Sharif who also bowled out Waikhom Mathoi on 15 in the 12th over to leave the Thongju team struggling at 64/3 .

TCMDC slump continued with medium pacer Bm Afsar bowling out Rain Urikhinbam on 10 for the fourth wicket in the 13 th over but it did noj dampen the team's spirit as Laishram Vivekananda and Takhellambam Nganba forged a 37-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take TCMDC to 107 from 70/4 before losing Nganba (17 off 35 balls) to Fm Sharif in the 23rd over.

Things were easy by then and Laishram Vivekananda (26) and Ringku Kangujam (2) calmly steered TCMDC to the target in 24 overs.

Winners TCMDC walked away Rs 50,000 richer as KASC had to settle for the runners up prize of Rs 30,000 and a trophy.

Md Aqeel of KASC who finished the tournament with 301 runs in 6 innings and 17 wickets in 7 innings was named man of the series and highest run getter and feted with cash prizes of Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,500 along with trophies as man of the final match Nepram Richer was feted with a cash prize of Rs 2,000 and a trophy.

Meanwhile, Saikhom Kaiku of AKSDO emerged highest wicket taker of the tournament and feted with a cash prize of Rs 2,500 .

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