8th MNCA Elite Cricket TournamentCRAU, REYS open campaign on winning notes

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 9 : CRAU, Khamnam Bazar and REYS, Nagamapal kicked off their 8th MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite Tourney campaign on winning notes today.
At Lairenjam Public Ground, CRAU registered a 2-wicket win over Al-Ameen in a low scoring encounter courtesy of bowlers.
CRAU won the toss and opted to field first. Riding on exemplary bowling performances from Heishnam Joyhenba (4/18), Senate Mayengbam (3/13) and Lamabam Ajay (2/11) they bowled out Al-Ameen for 76 runs in 33.3 overs and chased down the target in 19.4 overs despite facing a stiff opposition from Al-Ameen bowlers.
Md Sharoz Khan 33, Khulakpam Shahadat 21 and Nawaz 15 were the double digit run getters for Al-Ameen as five batters departed on ducks and two batters added 1 run apiece.
In the chase, small contributions from Lamabam Jotin 18, Khangembam Bimol 15, Takhellambam Kala 10 and 12 extras were more than enough for CRAU to seal the victory.
Md Shamir Khan 2/23, Najarul Islam 2/18 and Habibullah Ahammed 2/23 picked two wickets apiece for Al-Ameen.
H Joyhenba who was the pick of the CRAU bowlers was adjudged man of the match.
Elsewhere at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground, REYS  earned a 21 run victory over PTRC, Patsoi Part IV by posting a commanding total of 266/6 before restricting the Patsoi team to 245/9.
Put in to bat first, REYS started their innings confidently and saw Sougrakpam Shangkar (38) and Jaali Ahmed Chisti (38) forged a fifty run partnership in 10.1 overs for the first wicket before Jaali and Md Basir Rahman produced a 61-run partnership for the second wicket.
Basir stood firm to stitch a 38-run partnership for the third wicket with Naoshekpam Manglemba (21) and a  62-run partnership with Mustaque before he was bowled out for the fourth wicket on 63 by Bishworjit Konthoujam.
Mustaque, who combined well to take REYS past the 200-run mark with Basir, took batting charge and added an unbeaten 64 to help REYS to 266/6 by the close of the innings.
Bishorjit of PTRC returned with the best bowling figures of 3/45 in 8 overs as Chinagakham Bidash finished with 2/67 in 8 overs and Khangembam Santosh picked one (1/27).
In reply, PTRC too had a confident start and saw Khangem Santosh 46 partnering well with Jotin Pheiroijam 31 and Loitongbam Shitaljit 23 to take PTRC to 118 before he got run out for the third wicket in the first delivery of the 23rd over.
Ngariyanbam Jameson 33, Bishorjit Konthoujam 23, Tamarland Pheiroijam 23 and Khaidem Joyraj 21 not out did their best to revive the innings but their efforts took a hit with wickets tumbling in regular intervals towards the end and eventually ended up gathering 245 runs for 9 wickets.
Pinkey Sanasam returned with the best figures of 3/51 for REYS as Kiran Laishram picked two wickets for 29 runs.
Md Basir Rahman of REYS who picked a wicket and added 63 off  91 balls was adjudged man of the match.
The match between SCCC, Singjamei Thongam Leikai and PTCC, Patsoi Part III was abandoned after 6 overs of the second innings due to unplayable pitch condition. With the match being abandoned, the two teams shared a point apiece.
Earlier, SCCC had racked up a modest total of 226/10 in 44.3 overs and PTCC were 37/1 when the match was called off.
March 10 matches
ESU vs CYCLONE at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground
Model Club vs RULE at Luwangpokpa Cricket ground and
CHAMP vs TRAU at Lairenjam Public Ground