MDCA XI wins silver jubilee exhibition match by 29 runs

Mangkolemba, Dec. 2: Mokokchung District Cricket Association (MDCA) outgunned the ADC Mangkolemba XI by 29 runs in the second exhibition match as part of the MDCA's programmes on account of its silver jubilee of at Kumpani Ground on Friday. The exhibition matches in the T20 format is being initiated by the MDCA on the theme “Instilling Aspirations” with an aim to promote cricket and to highlight the successes and milestones of the Cricket Association. In an evenly contested match between the two teams, the MDCA XI and ADC Mongkolemba XI, the visitor won the toss and elected to bat first. The MDCA XI opening batsmen started their inning in a slow start, however, as the openers departed from the field the middle order batsmen took charge and the score shifted to an advantage for the visitors.Meyazungba of MDCA XI played some excellent strokes and mustered a total of 38 runs , the highest run scored in the match. Nonetheless, ADC Mangkolemba XI also pressurised the visitors with their star bowler Kika who took four wickets. He took three wickets in one over thereby balancing the match to some extent. But the visitors completed their twenty over innings with a comfortable 147 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Challenging the visitors, ADC Mangkolemba XI entered the field in a hunt to chase the target but it soon turned into nightmare as wicket after wicket started to fall dramatically during the first five overs. Some superb bowling by Sachin and clean and tight fielding from MDCA XI during the first ten overs restricted the home team to a tight corner. However, with the entry of the middle order batsmen, the match witnessed some boundaries and sixes, the scorecard for the home team improved to some extent. But, as veteran MDCA player, Talikaba started blowing he wrecked havoc taking four wickets, some very crucial ones. As the remaining overs depleted, the home team could only muster 118 runs with a loss of nine wickets, and conceded the game to the visitors who won by 29 runs. Meyazungba of MDCA XI (highest run scorer) and Longkitsung of ADC Mangkolemba XI were adjudged the players of the match. Meanwhile ADC Mangkolemba, Imtiwapang Aier expressed gratitude for conducting the exhibition match at Mangkolemba and at the same time congratulated the MDCA for reaching milestone of 25 years. He also informed that the Mangkolemba ADC Headquarter was celebrating its yearlong silver jubilee celebrations at Mangkolemba that will culminate on the December 9 with the state Chief Minister TR Zeliang as the chief guest. He also invited the officials of the MDCA to also partake in the Mangkolemba ADC Hq jubilee celebration. The president of MDCA, Chubatoshi also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the ADC Mangkolemba and all his colleagues for making the exhibition match a grand success. He informed that the next exhibition matches will be played at Changtongya and Tuli.