Players of ESA Warriors posing with the trophy of the Senior Masters League 2023-24. The team were the overall champions of the tournament after defeating Kohima Legends in the finals played at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Chümoukedima on March 2. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | March 2
ESA Warriors from Dimapur emerged as the champions of the first Senior Masters League trophy after winning the finals against Kohima Legends played at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium on March 2.
Playing in T20 format, ESA Warriors after winning the toss, batted first and put up an impressive 182 runs for a loss of 9 wickets. Kohima Legends were unable to chase the target put up by their opponents and went down at 81 runs (all out). The match ended with the Warriors winning by 101 runs. The man of the match was Watinungsang Imsong of ESA Warriors who scored half a century, 59 runs off 27 balls, with 6 sixes and 4 fours.
Organised under the aegis of the Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA), the tournament was played over a three-month long period and saw the participation of six teams, informed CK Mech, the organising committee’s secretary. The matches were in league format and played during the weekends with each team playing 10 matches.
The team with the highest runs scored was ESA Warriors for a total of 219 in 8 overs when they played against Chümoukedima Blasters.
Alongba Pongen was adjudged as the best bowler (27 wickets taken) while Pankaj Kumar was declared the best batsman for an overall total of 390 runs, both from ESA Warriors. Bovika K Yeptho of Chümoukedima Blasters was the best wicket keeper. Lastly, Vizalie Shuya was declared the man of the series.
Secretary of NCA meanwhile in his address stated that the Senior Masters League League has created a new phase towards promoting the sport of cricket as well to build friendship and camaraderie among the players.
He mentioned that cricket has been considerably growing in the state and with the promotion of more local players being sent every year to play professional tournaments, it has contributed towards the state’s economy.
Today the NCA is endeavoring to bui ld and push forward the game in all aspects, he added.
Furthermore, in a state where sports as an industry is yet to be accepted I would like to appeal to encourage children or youngsters to take up sports as a profession. Together let us all contribute to realise the aspirations of being a developed state, he said.
