Ranji Trophy 2021-22Al Bashid, bowlers put Manipur in strong position, Arunachal Pradesh trail by 137 runs after Day 2

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 18 : Manipur look forward to a big win in the plate group opening match of the 2021-22 edition of the Ranji Trophy against Arunachal Pradesh at Kolkata having posted a commendable first innings total of 296 runs in 96.1 overs courtesy Al Bashid half century and with bowlers having reduced Arunachal Pradesh to 40 for 6 at stumps on Day 2.
Resuming their innings on the second day, Manipur were 101/2 in 37.5 overs after Langlonyamba Meitan Keishangbam departed cheaply on 13 runs but Al Bashid who added 41 off 96 balls yesterday, carried forward Manipur innings cautiously to take Manipur past the 150 run mark with Johnson before he departed on 79 (off 159 balls) when Manipur's tally read 160 in 54.4 overs.
Johnson (38) then took Manipur beyond 200 mark before Jayanta Sagatpam (14), Kangabam Priyojit (30) kept the scoreboard ticking.
After Kishan Singha departed on 4 and RK Rex on 7-ball duck,  Manipur skipper Narsingh Yadav hit 5 fours and two sixes to add a significant score of 45 runs off 60 balls and Kishan Thokchom hit five fours to add 20 off 36 balls to provide a late flourish.
Akhilesh Sahani emerged the pick of Arunachal Pradesh bowlers with the figure 3/76 in 21 overs while Techi Neri (2/28) and Nazeeb Saiyed (2/22) shared two wickets each. Arunachal Pradesh's Manvan Patel, Yab Niya and Rajesh Bishnoi also claimed a wicket apiece.
Arunachal Pradesh, as in the previous innings, were taken by surprise and were reduced to 40/6 (21.3 overs)  at stumps as Kangabam Priyojit Singh removed Song Tacho on 14 before Bishworjit Konthoujam (2/14) and RK Rex (2/20) wreaked havoc to pick up two wickets each.
Arunachal Pradesh's Nazeeb Saiyed was unbeaten on 0 off 6 balls at stumps and they have Akhilesh Sahani, Kamsha Yangfo, Yab Niya and Manvan Patel yet to bat.