CHÜMOUKEDIMA, MAY 24 (MExN): Tseminyu and Zunheboto played out a thriller on Wednesday on the 3rd day of NCA Senior Men’s Inter-District Tournament at Nagaland Cricket Stadium.
On the bat first, Zunheboto made off to a poor start with both opening batsmen getting out early. However, Thejasilie with 19 runs and Hauto with 22 runs steadied the innings but it was the strike of Kavi Yeptho 44 runs (not out) which enabled Zunheboto to pose a competitive target of 144 in 30 overs.
Nuntilo scalped 3 wickets, Monu 2 wickets while Ntsenlo and Henry Kent took 1 wicket each for the Tseminyu side to restrict Zunheboto total at 143/9 at the completion of 30 overs.
In the run chase, Tseminyu started off on a positive note as the opening batsman shared a 55 run partnership with Alok Sharma scoring 53 runs and Potouzo Kent contributing 13 runs. It ultimately started looking easy for Tseminyu but bowler Kavi Yep’s 5 wickets in 4 overs and Captain Hopito Assumi’s 3 wickets brutally dismantled the batting line up of Tseminyu.
Monu Kumar made a crucial 22 runs during the carnage to help his team's total. However it was Henry Kent’s 21 runs (not out) and Shasinlo Kent 9 runs (not out) taking Tseminyu team home from a close encounter. Tseminyu won the match by 2 wickets in 25.4 overs. Man of the match was awarded to Monu Kumar.
In the second match, Mokokchung opted to bat first and with a captain’s knock of 85 runs from Vijay Rai duly balanced by Champo with 51 runs, Nripen Rai 32 runs, Nihal Rai 15 runs and 11 runs from Menchet Pongen, Mokokchung went on its way to produce an imposing target of 226 runs for Phek to chase. From Phek bowling team, Viza took 2 wickets while Suzuto and Porato claimed 1 wicket each.
With a mountain of a challenge awaiting the Phek team with 226 runs required for the win, the batsmen couldn’t withstand the pressure and went all out for just 34 runs in 13.5 overs.
Longsasunep gave a dazzling performance for the Mokokchung bowling unit as he picked up 6 wickets in 3.5 overs giving away only 10 runs. Odilemba Kichu, Temsulong, Basant and Nihal Rai all shared a wicket each to pull the curtains down for the Phek team with a win by an astounding 192 runs. Man of the Match was awarded to Lolgsasunep for his 6 wickets haul.
At Sovima cricket ground, Kohima, opting to bat first, started off brilliantly with Imomenba silencing the naysayers with a brilliant 97 runs knock in 81 balls. Hikato 13 runs and Zipa 65 runs also made important contributions to impose a mammoth 204 runs for Mon team to chase.
Shamwang Wangnao was the pick of the Mon bowlers striking 3 wickets while Phaknyu Konyak and Pangnyei got a wicket each.
In the run chase, Mon got off to a calm start with Shamwang Wangnao scoring 24 runs and Ahon Konyak with 17 runs however after their dismissal, the stormy bowling attack of Kohima hit the Mon team hard as Sepichem and Kelhousilie combined scalped 4 wickets each and Samuel Zaputou claimed 2 wickets to dismantle the Mon batting line up. The team ultimately succumbed with 65 runs (all out) in 18.4 overs. Kohima win by a margin of 139 runs. Man of the match was awarded to Imomenba Walling.
MAY 25 MATCH FIXTURE
Nagaland Cricket Stadium
8:00 AM: Niuland Vs Phek
12:30 PM: Longleng Vs Kohima
Sovima Cricket Ground
8: AM: Wokha Vs Mon
12:30 PM: Dimapur Vs Tseminyu
