NECDC Friendship Tournament: Nagaland, Manipur register wins

Published on May 12, 2025

(Left-Right) Player of the Match Imliwati, Player of the Match Jotin Singh
DIMAPUR — On a pitch that tested every batter’s temperament, Nagaland pulled off a gritty 21-run win against Sikkim in the 3rd NECDC Senior Men’s Interstate Friendship Tournament 2025, held at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Dimapur, on Monday.
Imliwati’s all-round brilliance — steady with the bat and sensational with the ball —secured a memorable win for the home side, an update stated.
Nagaland, after winning the toss, chose to bat but faced early setbacks. Sikkim’s bowlers applied pressure from both ends, making scoring difficult on a pitch offering movement and variable bounce.
Imliwati with 27 (63) and Yugi with 22 (59) were the top scorers for Nagaland. The notable bowlers for Sikkim were Ankur (3/37) in 9 overs, Lee Yong Lepcha (2/12) in 7.4 overs, Bijay Prasad (2/13) in 6 overs and Bhim Luitel (2/18) in 4 overs.
Sikkim’s bowling unit performed with discipline, restricting Nagaland to a modest total of 120.
Chasing 121 for victory, Sikkim’s innings never gained momentum. Though Arun Chettri anchored one end with a patient 34 off 81 balls, wickets tumbled around him as Nagaland’s bowlers hunted in pairs.
Imliwati’s (4/10) in 10 overs ensured that Sikkim fell short of the target and were dismissed for 99 in 43 overs, handing Nagaland a well-earned 21-run victory.
His all-round contribution sealed the match and earned him the Player of the Match title.

In another match at Sovima Cricket Ground, Manipur overwhelmed Mizoram by 202 runs. The match saw a power-packed batting display from Manipur and a ruthless bowling response that dismantled Mizoram’s lineup.
Jotin Singh Pheiroijam was the architect of the win and was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings and field presence.
Manipur’s top order turned up in full force, lighting up Sovima with a flurry of boundaries.
The top scorers for Manipur were Jotin Singh Pheiroijam (68 for 51 balls), Raj Kumar Rex Singh (59 for 24 balls), Pukhrambam Prafullomani Singh (57 for 51 balls).
Naveen Gurung with 2/5 in 3 overs and G Lalbiakvela with 2/52 in 7 overs were the notable Mizoram bowlers. Despite a few breakthroughs, Mizoram couldn’t stop the run flow, as Manipur closed the innings at a daunting 290/7 in just 40 overs.
Faced with a mountain of a target, Mizoram never looked settled. Early wickets and relentless bowling crushed their hopes of a comeback. Only Johan Lalbiakkima offered some spark with a quickfire 22 off 21 balls.
Mutum Swabhiman with 3/27 in 8 overs led Manipur’s bowling attack and the rest of the bowling unit supported well, dismantling the Mizoram batting lineup in 25.1 overs.
Jotin Singh’s 68 off 51 deliveries and his contributions in the field earned him the Player of the Match award.
Tuesday’s fixture
Manipur vs. Nagaland at Nagaland Cricket Stadium (9 am)
Meghalaya vs. Arunachal Pradesh at Sovima Cricket Ground (9 am)