SMAT : Star studded Punjab make light work of Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 21 2023:
Manipur suffered fourth straight loss in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023-24 as star studded Punjab eased to an 8 wicket win at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi .
Manipur won the toss and valiantly posted a total of 93 runs for 8 wickets despite facing fierce Punjab bowling attack led by India internationals Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Siddarth Kaul and Mayank Markande.
Punjab then took only 9.2 overs to seal the victory courtesy 26-ball 53 from Abhishek Sharma and 22-ball 30 from Prabhsimran Singh.
Arshdeep Singh (2/21), Siddarth Kaul (2/25) and Mayank Markande (2/19) shared two wickets apiece in Manipur innings which saw Kangabam Priyojit adding highest 22 off 44 deliveries before being removed by Mayank Markande in the 17th over.
Abhishek Sharma and Harpreet Brar also picked a wicket apiece.
Basir Rahman (12 off 11 balls), RK Rex (11 off 10 balls) and L Kishan Singha (11 off 11 balls) too managed small but double digit figures to help Manipur close in towards the 100-run mark.
During the chase, Manipur found the breakthrough after 6.4 overs with Abishek Sharma holing out to Basir Rahman off Bidash Chingakham's delivery when the scoreboard read 70 .
Nehal Wadhera who came in for Abhisek too had a short stay at the crease as L Kishan Singh undone him for 2 runs in the fifth delivery of the 8th over.
Prabhsimran Singh (30) and Anmolpreet (7) then forged a 9 ball 21-run third wicket partnership to quickly bring up the target.
Manipur will play Andhra Pradesh in the Next match at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on October 23.The match starts at 4.30 pm .