DIMAPUR, MAY 27 (MExN): Kohima took on Dimapur in the first semi-final match of the NCA senior men’s inter-district cricket tournament on Saturday here at Nagaland Cricket Stadium. In a closely contested match, defending champion Dimapur triumphed over Kohima by 3 wickets.
After winning the toss, Kohima opted to bat first. Running high on confidence and quality form, Imomenba Walling produced yet another exceptional batting performance scoring 48 runs while his opening partner Hikato Aye contributed 19 runs. However the remaining batsmen in the Kohima team lineup could not hit any worthwhile score as Dimapur bowled them all out in 39.3 overs with 135 runs on the board. Santosh Mahto and Raja Swarnkar took 3 wickets while Nagaho, Tahmeed and Hem claimed 1 wicket each. Needing 136 to win, batsmen Shamphri Terang with 34 runs and Hem Bahadur Chetri with 57 runs gave Dimapur the initial boost in the run chase. Bowler Sepichem displayed brilliance with the ball and scalped 4 wickets alongside Kelhousilie who also took 3 wickets. With only 3 wickets remaining and requiring 27 runs, Dimapur looked in trouble but Hoponkyu Sangtam’s 10 run on the strip with Hem Bahadur Chetri afforded the win for Dimapur to book a place in the finals. Man of the Match was awarded to Hem Bahadur Chetri. In the second semi-final match between Niuland and Chümoukedima, the latter won the toss and elected to bat. However Mughavi with 16 runs and Sedezhalie with 12 runs were the only batsmen to score double digits as the batting line up collapsed with a paltry 69 runs on the scoreboard in just 27.3 over.
Niuland’s Vino G Zhimomi ran havoc through the batting line up of Chümoukedima with a 5 wickets haul in 8.3 over amply supported by Sunil Sharma who collected 3 wickets.
In the run chase, Niuland felt the pressure breathing on their neck with the fall of 2 wickets (Vishal Sahani & Wahid Ali) in just 3 runs through the balls of prodigy Khrievitso Kense.
However, Afzal Hussain 40 runs and Hokaito Zhimomi 27 runs made sure no further damage was done and played sensibly to steer the team to an impressive win in just 21.5 overs and book a berth for the finals. Man of the match was awarded to Vino G Zhimomi.
Finals of the senior men’s Inter-district tournament between Niuland and Dimapur will be played on May 29 (Monday) at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima.
NCA SENIOR MEN’S FINAL
Date: MAY 29
Between: Dimapur Vs Niuland
Venue: Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima
