NECDC inter-state tournament final: Nagaland to face Meghalaya

Vino G Zhimomi (left) and Manish Sharma (right) receive the Player of the Match awards on Tuesday.

• DIMAPUR — Nagaland will play in their third consecutive NECDC Senior Men’s Inter-state Friendship Tournament final after a four-wicket win over Manipur at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. They will face Meghalaya, who advanced with a dominant seven-wicket victory against Arunachal Pradesh.
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• According to an update, the match between Nagaland and Manipur, shortened to 42 overs per side due to conditions, saw Nagaland chase down a revised target of 148 with seven balls to spare.
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• Manipur won the toss and elected to bat, posting a total of 159. Jotin Singh Pheiroijam once again led the scoring with a composed 72 off 86 balls, anchoring his side’s inning. However, Nagaland’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Vino G Zhimomi (3/14) and Akavi A Yeptho (3/30), kept the scoring in check.

Also read: NECDC Friendship Tournament: Nagaland, Manipur register wins

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• Nagaland’s chase saw Yugi top score with a fluent 46 off 48 balls, while Nchumbemo Humtsoe remained unbeaten on 35 off 64 balls, guiding the team to victory in the 39th over. Vino G Zhimomi was named Player of the Match for his decisive three-wicket spell.
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• In the other semi-final played at Sovima Cricket Ground, Meghalaya, powered by a sensational bowling performance from Manish Sharma, dismantled the Arunachal batting lineup and chased down the total in under 20 overs.
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• Meghalaya won the toss and elected to field. Under pressure from the first over, Arunachal Pradesh struggled to build any momentum and were dismissed for 101 all out in 33.1 overs.
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• Their top scorer, Neelam Obi, fought back with 28 runs from 51 deliveries, while Licha Jhon contributed 22 off 59 balls. However, Meghalaya’s bowlers remained relentless, with Manish Sharma claiming 4/2 (5.1 overs), Ram Gurung taking 3/21 (7 overs), and Aryan Borah finishing with 3/28 (10 overs).
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• Chasing a small target, Meghalaya’s top order batted confidently, with Arpit Bhatewara leading the chase with 49 off 39 balls, anchoring the inning until the brink of victory. They comfortably chased down the total in just 19.3 overs to seal their place in the final. For Arunachal Pradesh, Limar Dabi claimed 1/18 (4.3 overs), Likha Soniya took 1/36 (5 overs), and Nabam Dol finished with 1/27 (7 overs).
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• Sharma was named Player of the Match for his 4-wicket spell.
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• The final match will be played at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium on May 15, with the match scheduled to start at 1 pm. Dr. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland and convener of NECDC, will be the special guest for the closing and prize distribution ceremony.