Team Meghalaya, the winner of the 3rd NECDC Senior Men’s Interstate Friendship Tournament, at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima, Chümoukedima, on May 15. (Morung Photo)
Beats defending champ Nagaland by 110 runs in final
Morung Express News
Dimapur l May 15
Meghalaya defeated defending champion Nagaland to lift the 50-overs Northeast Cricket Development Council (NECDC) 2025 trophy. Nagaland was set a target of 231 to win but fell short, bowled out in the 35th over, with the score at 120, in the final played at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Sovima, Chümoukedima on May 15.
Meghalaya won by 110 runs, claiming the 3rd NECDC Senior Men’s Interstate Friendship Tournament.
They batted the entire 50 overs, losing 7 wickets, riding on a solid 72 runs from number 2 batsman Arpit Bhatewara. Bhatewara steadied the innings after opener Arien Bonchang went cheap for a duck in the first over.
He found support in Swastic Chetri, who made 43 runs. Their stand of 73 runs scooped Meghalaya out of trouble, their partnership lasting till the 25th over before Chetri was run out.
Lerry G Sangma, who replaced Chetri, lasted 3 balls, falling to Tahmeed. The score read 75 for 3 at 25.3 overs. But Bhatewara stayed unshaken stitching another solid partnership with middle order batsman Jaskirat, before falling in the 42nd over with the scoreboard reading 167/4.
Jaskirat was the 6th wicket to fall. He made a quick 57-ball 55.
Captain Imliwati and Neizekho Rupreo claimed two wickets each. Hopongkyu Sangtam and Tahmeed claimed one each.
Nagaland’s chase started on a similar note as Meghalaya, losing opener Joshua Ben Ozukum for a duck in the first over. Wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving no space for partnerships.
Tailender Hopongkyu Sangtam stood out in the batting department, who ended the match as the highest scorer for Nagaland with a 40-ball 28. He was the last wicket to fall.
Skipper Imliwati’s knock of 27 was the second highest score for a Nagaland batsman. Number batsman Sede made 23.
Bowler Abhishek Kumar was the Player of the Match. He claimed 4 wickets, decimating the Nagaland top order, two of who could not register a score.
Nagaland skipper Imliwati was the Best Bowler. Arpit Bhatewara was the Best Batter and Best Wicketkeeper. Jotin Singh Pheiroijam of Manipur was the Player of the Tournament. The allrounder scored 246 runs and took 6 wickets.
The winning team won a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh. The runner-up won 1 lakh.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who was the special guest, gave away the prizes. He said that cricket in Nagaland has seen hard times. However , today, “We are in a better position,” he said.
He said that the state cricket body wants to give a platform to the youth. According to him, the state government has invested tremendously into cricket infrastructure development in Nagaland. He said that the state has the talent and needed more commitment, funding and training, while stating that the state has been able to create the basic infrastructure.
“We have to show our capabilities. We say we have the talent. But the talent has to be nurtured,” he said.
To attract stronger attention of the cricketing world, he said that cricket in Nagaland has to continue giving results.
“Let us continue to grow. Let us continue to support the NECDC Interstate Friendship Tournament,” he said.
He further laid emphasis on promoting and developing women’s cricket.
The CM also inaugurated the NECDC office located in the NCA venue.
