Syed Mushtaq Ali TrophyRK Rex's 3-wicket haul goes in vain Manipur lose by 17 runs to Nagaland

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 4 : Manipur got off to a poor start in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy plate group campaign going down by 17 runs to Nagaland despite exemplary bowling performance by Raj Kumar Rex Singh at Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh today.
Manipur needed 151 runs for the win but were restricted to 133 for 6 in their innings even as Nitesh Sedai hit a half century (37-ball 64).
Earlier, Nagaland after opting to bat amassed 150 for 3 in their quota 20 overs riding on Chetan Bisht (66 not out off 48 balls), Shrikant Mundhe (42 off 41 balls) and Hokaito Zhimomi (35 off 24-ball) after losing Sedezhalie Rupero and Rongsen Jonathan on duck and 6 runs respectively to Raj Kumar Rex within three overs.
 RK Rex also sent Shrikant Mundhe packing as well to finish with bowling figures 4-0-19-3 (three wickets for 19 runs in four overs). Though unsuccessful in clinching wicket, State bowlers L Kishan Singha and Kangabam Priyojit also maintained good bowling economy.
In the chase, Manipur were 20 for 1 at the end of the third over as Abu Nechim Ahmed bowled Narasingh Yadav out on 3. Though Nitesh Sedai (64) and Al-Bashid (27) played sensibly, disciplined bowling by Nagaland bowlers forced Manipur to wrap the innings up at 133 for 6. Bonny Chingangbam (10), Langlonyamba Meitankeishangbam (4) and L Kishan Singha (11) too contributed in Manipur's chase.
Abu Nechim Ahmed (2-19) and Khrievitso Kense (2-22) were notable Nagaland bowlers in today's match with two wickets each in their names. Nagaho Chishi and Shrikant Mundhe also shared a wicket apiece.
Manipur will play Arunachal Pradesh in the next match on November 6.