IBSA pip NAPSA to squeeze into 9th MNCA Plate Tournament semis

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 5 : IBSA, Yumnam Leikai defeated SHADOW, Thangmeiband by 3 wickets for the 6th win in the final Group A encounter of the ongoing 9th MNCA Plate Tournament at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground today.
The 6th win off 8 matches helped IBSA, Yumnam Leikai dislodge NAPSA, Kha Imphal from second place to third and qualify for the semi-finals as Group A runners up behind KCDO, Kongpal.
IBSA restricted toss winners SHADOW to 132 runs for 8 wickets in 32 overs and held their nerves to reach the target in 28.2 overs with three wickets left to spare.
Sagatpam Lanchenba starred for NAPSA with a slow but significant knock of 67 runs from 95 balls while Md Aziz Khan added second highest 19 runs in the first innings that saw Nelson Keithellakpam (2/20), Yengkhom Bhomendro (2/20), Pravesh (2/27), and Mk Tamim (2/30) sharing 8 wickets.
Chasing 133 for the win, IBSA rode on concerted efforts from Subhas Khundrakpam 26, Yengkhom Bhomendro 23 not out, Azmad Khan 22 and Khundrakpam Lemba 15 not out to seal the victory despite Loyumba Soibam's prolific bowling effort for NAPSA that helped him finish with the match's best bowling figures of 4/29.
Devis Khunjamayum (2/24) and Sagatpam Telheiba (1/28) were also among the wickets for NAPSA in a lost cause.
Yengkhom Bhomendro who starred with both the bat and ball was adjudged player of the match.
Elsewhere at Lairenjam Public Ground, OSCAR, Paona Bazar sealed a 22-run victory over YPHUC, Lalambung Makhong in an inconsequential Group B match.
Opting to bat first, OSCAR were bundled out for 152 runs in 25.2 overs as Borish Longjam (4/23) and Elam Vicky (3/17) ripped apart their batting line up. Th Sanjit 44, W Pawankumar 31, L Robinson 14 and Indrajit 13 were the only double digit run getters for OSCAR.
The total proved too big for YPHUC as they slumped to  130 all out in 32.5 overs with Jawan (3/20), Sorokhaibam Samson (3/25) and Indrajit (2/31) of OSCAR were more frugal and effective in their efforts.
Jawan of YPHUC was adjudged player of the match.
With the result, OSCAR finished 5th in the final Group B team standings as YPHUC finished 7th.
Semi-Final Fixtures (January 7)
Group A Winners KCDO vs Group B Runners up NCA at Lairenjam Public Ground
Group B Winners KSDO vs Group A Runners up IBSA at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground.
The final match is slated for January 10 at Lairenjam Public Ground.