4th MNCA Luwangpokpa T20 Trophy : Thoiba, Lenin smack fifties as YUCC trounce SSU by 116 runs for fourth win on trot
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 29 2023: Ningthoujam Thoiba and W Lenin scored fifties to help YUCC-Kwakeithel Moirangpurel Leikai overwhelm SSU-Singjamei Kakwa by 116 runs for the fourth straight Group A win in the 4th MNCA Luwangpokpa T20 Trophy.

YUCC, who have been in brilliant form, won the toss and opted to bat first here at Model Hr Sec and Oriental College ground today.

They gathered 193/3 and bowled out SSU for just 77 runs within 18.3 overs for the massive victory.

Despite losing Ningthoujam Rohit for a 3-ball duck in the first over to Bollanath, Ningthoujam Thoiba and W Lenin pulled things up together by forging an impressive 115-run partnership for the second wicket in 77 deliveries.

4th MNCA Luwangpokpa T20 Trophy

Saikhom Thongam of SSU however managed to break the partnership in the 14th over by removing N Thoiba for 88 runs (off 55 deliveries, 10 fours and 5 sixes) but W Lenin anchored with an unbeaten 54 off 43 deliveries and added a crucial 77-run partnership for the third wicket with Bidyasor (38) to take YUCC to 193 for three wickets in allotted 20 overs.

In reply, SSU had a stuttering start losing both the openers cheaply to Devraj Nongthombam (1/8 in 2 overs) and Rahulkumar Ningthoujam (1/10 in 3 overs) before Khundrakpam Punshiba Mangang (3/15 in 4 overs) and Laishram Prithibiraj (3/24 in 4 overs) took their turns to wreak havoc by sharing 6 wickets between them to reduce SSU to 69/8 in 17 overs.

Kadamjit Moirangthem (1/12 in 4 overs) and Bidyasor (1/4 in 0.4 overs) then had their ways to remove Bollanath on duck and Rupachandra for 5 to set up the SSU collapse at 77 .

Shamurailatpam Deepankar Sharma was the highest run getter for SSU with 16 runs to his name in this innings as Ningombam Sanjoy and Sujeet L scored 12 and 10 runs respectively.

Ningthoujam Thoiba who starred with his bat today was adjudged man of the match.

In another Group A match staged at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground, WYC-Thoubal Wangkhem too cruised to their fourth win by thrashing IBSA-Yumnam Leikai by 69 runs in a low scoring encounter.

WYC gathered 112/9 on the back of Borish Khomdram 33 and Thoudam Roshankumar 23 after opting to bat first and bundled out IBSA for 43 runs within 15.4 overs as Mangi Sharma Gotimayum (3/9 in 3 overs) and Huirongbam Biteshwor (3/8 in 3 overs) ran riot across their batting line up.

Earlier in the WYC innings, Yengkhom Bhomendro returned with best bowling figures of 3/14 in 4 overs while Mk Tamim (2/13) and Azmad Kh (2/16) shared four wickets.

Borish Khomdram of WYC who also picked a wicket was eventually named man of the match.

Elsewhere at Lairenjam Public Ground, KCC-Kongba Bazar upstaged TCMDC-Thongju by 7 wickets for the third Group B win on the trot.

The result also helped KCC climb atop the group table.

TCMDC added 83 runs for all wickets down in 18.2 overs after choosing to bat first as KCC's Singthou Nandeibam enjoyed a fifer (5/10 in 4 overs) and Yumnam Sheeitendra (2/11) and Nameirakpam Arbin (2/15) picked two wickets apiece.

KCC then rode on Rohen Singh 28, Ningombam Tony 15, Nongmaithem Dijaraj 14 and Hijam Boba 13 not out to reach the target within 13.5 overs with 7 wickets left to spare.

Singthoi was deservedly named man of the match.

At Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium, UCC-Uripok Khaidem Leikai notched up a 40 run victory over AKSDO.

It was their third win in four Group C matches.

UCC rode on Bicky Kumar Das 42, Leishangthem Bishorjit 38 and Thangjam Anson 29 to pile up 167 runs for 5 wickets after opting to bat first and held AKSDO to 127 for 8 courtesy noteworthy bowling performances from Leishangthem Bishorjit 2/20 and Laishram Bhuson 2/28 .

Bishorjit who shone with both the bat and ball was adjudged man of the match.

Meanwhile, KSDO-Kongpal crushed OSCAR-Paona Bazar by 8 wickets for their fourth straight victory in a lopsided Group D tie at Moijing Public Ground.

KSDO bundled out OSCAR for 66 runs in 18.4 overs and cruised to the victory in 7.4 overs by posting a winning 71/2 .

Md Riyajuddin (3/14 in 4 overs) was pick of the KSDO bowlers today as Shajahan (2/14), Khushru Pravez (2/10) and Sangomshumpham Shah Nawaz (2/13) claimed two wickets apiece to set up OSCAR collapse.

In the chase, Md Arif Khan top-scored with 30 runs while Khushru Pravez blazed off 3 sixes on the way to his unbeaten 9-ball 23 .