Mens U25 State A Trophy Bikash's half century and five-for help Manipur trounce Meghalaya by 174 runs for second win

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 21 : Manipur thrashed Meghalaya by 174 runs for the second win (plate group) in the ongoing Mens U25 State A Trophy as Bikash produced a prolific all round performance at Nehru Stadium, Guwahati today.
Manipur, after winning the toss, elected to bat first and posted a modest total of 281 runs for 6 wickets courtesy half centuries by Johnson, Kishan and Bikash.
Manipur then skittled Meghalaya for 107 runs in 28.5 overs for the emphatic victory as speedster Bikash Singh wreaked havoc across their batting line up and finished with a career high five-for (five wicket haul) for 47 runs in 8 overs.
Manipur had a slow start and were reduced to 94-4 in 25.2 overs with the dismissal of Nawaz (6), Andyroshan (23), Guniram A (5) and Nitesh (16). But, Johnson (70 off104 balls) and Kishan (59 off 64 balls) played sensitively and hit half centuries to gradually improve the run rate before Bikash Singh started the firework lately and scored an unbeaten 24-ball 64 to help Manipur set a target of 282 runs.
Bikash Singh's half century knock contained seven fours and four sixes.  Kishan also hit seven fours and Johnson smacked ten fours on their way to half centuries in this innings which saw Meghalaya bowlers Chamcham, Mukesh and Bibek sharing two wickets each.
In the chase, Meghalaya had a torrid time from the onset losing IF Thabah, A Gupta and Joydeep on ducks and  Kush Agarwal on 4 to today's pick of the bowlers, Bikash Singh.
Nitesh Sedai and Johnson too grabbed two wickets each to add teeth to Manipur's bowling attack and tighten things up before Bikash completed his five wicket haul clean bowling Lokesh Turawah on 1.
Bonchang Sangma (26 off 47 balls) and Bikek (27 off 41 balls) and Mukesh (16 off 39 balls) were the only double digit scorers for Meghalaya in this innings which also witnessed Manipur's Ch Ranjan pick up a wicket.
Manipur will play Arunachal Pradesh in the next match on November 23 at Numalijalah Parade Ground, Amingaon, Guwahati.
Brief scores
Manipur :  281/6 (Johnson 70/104, Bikash not out 62/24, Kishan 59/64; Chamcham 2/20, Mukesh 2/46, Bibek 2/60)
Meghalaya 107 all out in 28.5 overs (Bibek 27/41, Bonchang Sangma 26/47 ball; Bikash Singh 5/47; Nitesh 2/4, Alfred Hmar 2/6)