Razzle United Cricket Club (in blue) and Inning Stars with Special Guest Rajashekara N DIG 3rd NAP along with officials of Tuensang District Cricket Association on February 3 at Parade ground in Tuensang.
Tuensang, February 3 (MExN): The final match of the 13th late C Yanghori Memorial T20 Open Cricket Tournament was played between Razzle United Cricket Club and Inning Stars on February 3 at Parade Ground in Tuensang.
Inning Stars won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Imlong Chaba (Wicket Keeper) and Imlikumba (Captain) made a slow start managing to score just 6 runs in 2 overs off Razzle United’s opening bowler Shahin.
The first boundary of the first innings came in the first ball of the third over from the bat of the captain, Imli. But he was clean bowled after just adding a single run from the pacy attack of Shahin.
Shahin continued his good form by adding another wicket to his tally by dismissing both the opening batsmen.
Imlong Chaba was caught out by Saddam. The score at that fall of wicket was 13-2.
Rozikyu who came in as the 3rd batsmen steadied his team with few quick singles and boundaries in between. The third wicket of Mhondemo was taken by Saddam as umpire gave an LBW decision. The runs were coming from the bat of Rozikyu with a nice flick of the wrist to the fine leg area for a boundary taking his team total to 39-3.
The fourth wicket of Sawan came from the ball of Atsali as the ball kept a low bounce and hit the stumps. The score was 54-4.
Somba who came in as the 6th batsmen survived a scare as Saddam dropped a catch. But to the relief to the bowling team, Somba was bowled out in the same over by Bubai Sarkar.
After few quick dismissals, Rozikyu and Royemchu built a strong partnership and steered their team total taking their team total to 99 runs. The first six of the first inning also came from the bat of Royemchu. But the prized wicket of Rozikyu who scored 35 runs was taken by Atsali.
Atsali continued his onslaught taking the wicket of hard hitting Royemchu who scored a quick 17 runs. The score was 100-7. Tail enders Khumtsali and Yapang took their team total to 133 before Yapang was caught out in the last ball of the 1st inning by Shahin, bowled by Hem. The first inning ended 133-8.
Chasing the target, Razzle took no time to show their aggression as they scored 5 runs in the 1st over. Batting as openers, Rakhu and Saddam showed their dominance on the pitch hitting runs all over the park. Saddam struck 3 boundaries in 2 overs and Rakhu joined in the onslaught with a boundary of his own.
Yapang the bowler of Inning Stars was under pressure as he gave away a no ball and a free hit which Saddam took advantage of and hit the ball over the fence for six. Rakhu was dropped by Sawan Pun who was batting on 22 runs.
After the 7th over, the Razzle scored a healthy 67 for no loss of wicket. The pace attacks of Inning Stars failed to hit the stumps and slow bowlers were brought in.
Imikumba began with a good spell by conceding only a run which was followed by another excellent over of spin bowling by Royemchu and it seemed like the match was about to take a new turn in the favour of the fielding side. But Saddam, the Man of the Series with his good batting form continued where he left off and runs kept coming from his bat.
The first breakthrough for the Inning Stars came in the form of a dismissal of Rakhu after scoring 25 runs he was clean bowled by Royemchu. The match could have taken a U-turn but the fielders of the Inning Stars dropped four catches. Saddam scored 63 runs after being dropped at 59 by Yapang. Two quick dismissals of Hem and Bubai in the 16th and 17th over came in too late. By that time the score was 128-3 and in the 17th over Atsali scored a boundary and needed only 2 runs to win, he hit another boundary, leading his team to the win by 7 wickets and 3 overs remaining.
Saddam was declared the Man of the Match (MOTM) and also the Man of the Series for his prowess with both bat and ball. Saddam scored 88 runs and took 13 wickets in 3 matches, and also won 3 MOTM awards.
Throngkila of Nepali Baptist Church Women’s Team was awarded with Woman of the Match in the exhibition match played between TDCA U-19 Women’s Team and Nepali Baptist Church Women’s Team on February 2. Rajashekara N DIG 3rd NAP was the special guest of the closing ceremony.
