9th MNCA Plate Tournament 2024-25NCA vs KSDO in final showdown, both earn Superplate promotion

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 7 : NCA, Ningthoukhong will face off against KSDO, Kyamgei in the title clash of the 9th MNCA Plate Tournament 2024-25 as they sealed semi-final victories today.
At Lairenjam Public Ground, NCA who finished Group B runners up behind KSDO, Kyamgei, pulled off an 85-run victory against Group A winners KCDO, Kongpal to book the final ticket. Opting to bat first, NCA amassed 214 runs for 6 wickets in 35 overs thanks to sensible batting performances from Angom Robinhood 46 not out, Chourjeet RK 36 not out, Roshan Konthoujam 35, Amarjeet Rajkumar 34 and Moirangthem Karmachand 33.
The innings saw Ksh Devendro (2/41) and Md Ajijur Rahman (2/13) sharing four wickets as Ksh Dayananda and Md Abdul Kayam picked a wicket apiece.
In reply, only Bikram Phamdom 30, Mani Moirangthem 18, Hafiz Imran 17 and Ksh Devendro 15 and Md Ajijur Rahman 11 managed double digit figures before they slumped to 129 all out in 25.2 overs.
Khwairakpam Shinoj led the KCDO demolition work with a four-for (4/30) as Roshan Konthoujam (3/8) snared three wickets and RK Amarjeet and L Sadananda picked a wicket apiece.
Roshan Konthoujam who starred with both the bat and ball was adjudged player of the match.
Meanwhile, KSDO overcame Group A runners up IBSA, Yumnam Leikai by 2 wickets in a keenly contested semi-final match at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground to set up the final date with NCA. Notably, KSDO had beaten NCA by 5 wickets during their league stage clash.
Opting to bat first IBSA, rode on half centuries Nelson Keithellakpam (69 off 81 balls; 9 fours), James Awang (62 not out off 73 balls; 3 six and 3 fours) and Azmad Khan (61 not out off 30 balls; 6 fours and 4 sixes) to gather 224/3 in the allotted 35 overs.  The innings saw Lakimbur (2/49) and Sangomsumpham Shah Nawaz (1/23) sharing the three wickets.
However, KSDO struggled their way to winning 225 in 35 overs with 2 wickets left to spare thanks to significant opening  partnership between Nawaz Sharif (59 off 66 balls; 7 fours) and Md Arif Khan (25 off 41 balls; 2 fours) who gathered 81 runs before Arif's dismissal.
Abdul Rafique (40) and Md Shah Jahan (29) also made significant contributions before Lakimbur 34 not out and Sangomsumpham Shah Nawaz 2 not out finished off the chase in a final over thriller.
Nelson Keithellakpam (2/30), Subhas Khundrakpam (2/21), and Yengkhom Bhomendro (2/47) shared 6 wickets as Mk Tamim and Azmad Khan chipped in with a wicket apiece.
The final match is slated for January 10 at Lairenjam Public Ground.