Nagaland will host the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Plate tournament from November 14 to 24, featuring six teams.
DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) will host the Muthoot Fincorp Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026-27 Plate Group tournament from November 14 to the 24th at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium and Sovima Cricket Ground in Chümoukedima.
According to a press release issued by the NCA, the tournament will bring together six teams, namely Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Services, for 15 league matches, followed by the Plate final on November 24.
The association stated that hosting the tournament builds on its experience of conducting major Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) competitions, including the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy 2025-26 and the recently concluded Senior Women's T20 Trophy 2026-27.
It stated that the conduct of these tournaments demonstrated its growing organisational capabilities, operational expertise and readiness to host major domestic cricket events.
The opportunity to host successive BCCI tournaments also reflects the Board's continued confidence in the NCA and its commitment to promoting and developing cricket in Nagaland and the wider region, it added.
The opening day on November 14 will feature hosts Nagaland taking on Meghalaya at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium at 8:30 am, followed by Services against Sikkim at 1 pm. Arunachal Pradesh will face Manipur at the Sovima Cricket Ground at 8:30 am.
League matches will be played on November 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. On each league match day, the Nagaland Cricket Stadium will host matches at 8:30 am and 1 pm, while the Sovima Cricket Ground will host a match at 8:30 am.
The Plate final will be held on November 24 at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, beginning at 8:30 am. All match timings are in Indian Standard Time.
The NCA stated that hosting such tournaments provides exposure for local players, match officials and support personnel, while giving aspiring cricketers an opportunity to witness senior domestic cricket firsthand.
It added that the tournament would strengthen Nagaland's presence on the national cricket calendar and support the continued development of the sport in the state.
The association has invited cricket enthusiasts and supporters to attend the matches and encourage the participating teams.