Meghalaya ease past Nagaland to win NECDC Friendship Tournament

Meghalaya team with Neiphiu Rio after clinching the third NECDC Senior Men's Interstate Friendship Tournament on Thursday.

• DIMAPUR — Meghalaya emerged as champions of the third NECDC Senior Men's Interstate Friendship Tournament after defeating Nagaland by 110 runs in the final played at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Chümoukedima, on Thursday.
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• After winning the toss, Meghalaya opted to bat first and set a target of 230 with loss of 7 wickets in 50 overs. Nagaland struggled in response, collapsing to 120 all out in 34.3 overs, well short of the target.
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• Meghalaya faced an early setback, losing their first wicket in the first over for just 1 run as Arien Bonchang departed, putting the team under pressure from the start.

Also read: NECDC inter-state tournament final: Nagaland to face Meghalaya

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• However, a steady partnership followed, stabilising the innings until the second wicket fell at 74 in 24.5 overs, with Swastic Chettri departing after a patient knock of 43 runs.
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• The momentum of the game shifted slightly as Lerry G Sangma fell for a duck shortly after, with the score at 75/3 in 25.3 overs. However, a crucial middle-order partnership, anchored by Arpit Bhatewara's 72, steadied the team before he was dismissed in the 42nd over.
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• Thereafter, Meghalaya lost wickets in quick succession; Kishan Lyngdoh was bowled out after just 6 runs, followed by Jaskirat (55 runs) as the score board stood at 195 in 46.1 overs. Akash added 24 crucial runs before departing. Ram Gurung and Manish, the tail-enders, pushed the total to 230/7.
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• In reply, Nagaland's chase derailed early as they crumbled to 120 all out in 34.3 overs. The innings began disastrously, with Joshua Ben Ozukum dismissed on the first ball, setting the tone for a struggling batting display.
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• Soon after, Hem fell after scoring just 5 runs, followed by Yugi's dismissal for a duck, leaving the score at 12/3 in 4.5 overs.
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• Nagaland's woes continued as Nchumbemo Humtsoe fell for 1 in 7.1 overs, marking the team's top-order collapse.
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• A brief moment of resistance came through a partnership that took the team to 61 runs, before Sede’s dismissal in 21.4 overs, which triggered another quick collapse, with Imliwati at (27) falling just one over later in 22.3 overs.
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• Akavi A Yeptho (5) and Tahmeed fell in quick succession in 23.2 overs, leaving Nagaland reeling at 73/9.
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• Neizekho Rupreo and Hopongkyu Sangtam provided a glimmer of hope with a gritty lower-order partnership, pushing the score past 100. Rupreo fell for 10 in 33.5 overs, and Sangtam became the final wicket at 120 in 34.3 overs.
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• The man of the match was awarded to Abishek Kumar from Meghalaya, best batsman and best wicket keeper went to Arpit Bhatewara from Meghalaya, while the best bowler was awarded to Imliwati from Nagaland team.
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• The player of the tournament was awarded to Jotin Sigh Pheiroijam from Manipur.