Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate GroupManipur off to flying start, trounce Mizoram by 156 runs

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 3 : Manipur U-16 boys registered a resounding 156 run victory against Mizoram to kick off the Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate Group in style at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha.
Manipur had a sloppy start and were bowled out for 132 runs in 45.2 overs of the first innings after being let to bat first on December 1. The State lads, however, showed an improved side to pile up a commendable total of 262 runs to give Mizoram, who posted a first innings total off 117 runs, a target of 278 runs. Manipur bowlers then bundled out Mizoram for 121 runs to seal the huge 156 run victory.
Rain 46, Danish 24 and Robinson Sougaijam 15 were the main run getters for Manipur in the first innings which saw Dinpuia (5/17 in 8.2 overs) of Mizoram enjoying a five wicket haul and Zira (2/21 in 8 overs) taking two wickets.
Md Danish (5/42 in 20.2 overs that include 6 maiden) and Naesh Hussain (5/36  in 18 overs that include 7 maiden) then devastated Mizoram's line up in their first innings to restrict them to 117 runs in 61.2 overs.
In the second innings, Binson 50, Naesh 67 and Danish 51 scored half centuries to guide Manipur to 262 runs in 80.3 overs. Zira of Mizoram (3/34) enjoyed a three wicket haul in this innings as Ramsanga, Dinpuia and Mala picked two wickets each.
Manipur bowlers then pile immense pressure on Mizoram in their second innings and eventually bowled them out for 121 runs in 60.3 overs as Danish cleaned up the top orders on the way to his 3/33 before Saikhom Kaiku swept the tail  to return with the best figures of 4/11 in 11 overs.
Kaiku's scalps include  Hmingthana, Zira and Manuna who departed on ducks. Yumnam Achouba, Rain Urikhinbam and Robinson Sougaijam also chipped in with a wicket apiece to set up Mizoram collapse at 121.
Manipur will play Sikkim in the next match from December 6.
Brief Scores
Manipur 132/10 in 45.2 overs (Rain 46, Danish 24 and Robinson 15; Dinpuia 5/17, Zira 2/21 in 8 overs) and 262/10 in 80.3 overs (Binson 50, Naesh 67 and Danish 51; Zira 3/34, Ramsanga 2/54, Dinpuia 2/59 and Mala 2/18)
Mizoram 117/10 in 61.2 overs (Mapuia 24, Peka 23, Fela 19 not out; Md Danish 5/42, Naesh Hussain 5/36) and 121/10 in 60.3 overs (Peka 35, Zodina 18; Danish 3/33, Saikhom Kaiku 4/11)