7th MNCA Elite TournamentCHAMP beat Al-Ameen by 3 wickets to finish league runners up, earn final berth

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 28 : CHAMP-Khagempalli defeated Al-Ameen-Lilong by 3 wickets in their penultimate match for the 9th win and to finish league runners up in the 7th MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite Tournament at Model Hr Sec and Oriental College playground.
The result also meant that CHAMP will play league winners PTRC-Patsoi Part IV for the tourney title. CYCLONE, Thangmeiband who won against CRAU in another match today could have earned a shot at runners up spot had CHAMP lose today but the result was otherwise and they finished third in league standings on 17 points.
Put in to bat first, Al-Ameen were bowled out for a paltry total of 126 runs in 34 overs as Najarul Islam spun web around their line up.
Mustaque Mohammed who came out to open with Nawaz (6) was the only batter for Al-Ameen to watch for as he amassed 61 off 79 balls despite seeing his partners on the other end depart cheaply in regular intervals.
It was Lairenjam Ansh of CHAMP who got the breakthrough by removing Nawaz in the 9th over before Thingbaijam Nicholson got rid of Muhammed Al Bashid for 1 in the next over and Sultan Karim bowled out Khulakpam Shahadat Ali for 3-ball duck to to make it 17 for 3 in 10.2 overs.
Najarul Islam then removed Md Safwan (13) and Kabir Khan (0) in the 4th and the 5th deliveries of 16th over to make it 42 for 5 and went on to claim the 7th and the 8th wicket to returned with the best bowling figures of 4/34 in his spell of 8 overs.
Sultan Karim and L Ansh fetched the last two wickets to finish with two wicket hauls.
In reply, Khulakpam Shahadat Ali and ran riot across the batting line up of CHAMP by picking up four wickets and three of his teammates claimed a wicket each, but their efforts went in vain as the target they set was too small and CHAMP eclipsed the total in 34.4 overs with three wickets left to spare.
Nitesh Sedai with 37 runs was the highest run getter for CHAMP followed by Leikhram Johny (23). Md Sultan Karim (11) and Nongthombam Gulson (10) were unbeaten as the team sealed victory.
Najarul Islam who led CHAMP's bowling attack with his  left arm spin was adjudged man of the match.
At Khangabok Part III Cherapur Public Ground, CYCLONE beat CRAU by 58 runs.
CYCLONE racked up a massive total of 208 runs for 6 in allotted 25 overs courtesy an unbeaten ton from Bikash Singh (106 off 56 balls) who cracked 10 fours and 8 sixes. Loktongbam Santosh (35) and Kabrambam Homendro (24) also made significant contributions to CYCLONE's tally.
Dinu Sarangthem of CRAU clinched two wickets in this innings as Takhellambam Kala, Mehtab Jamal, Lamabam Ajay and Lamabam Jotin chipped in wicket a wicket apiece.
In the chase, CRAU could muster only 150 runs for 7 even as Ronil Potsangbam (31), Khangembam Bimol (18), Sanatomba K (16), Lamabam Jotin (16), Ph Jodash (16) put in a concerted effort.
Kishan Laishram led the CYCLONE bowling attack with 2/7 in 5 overs which include a maiden while Loktongbam Santosh, Longjam Ronald, Bikash Singh, Aribam Ronald and Suraj Meisnam all picked a wicket each to apply break to the chase.
Bikash Singh who blazed off an unbeaten ton and grabbed a wicket was adjudged man of the match.
Elsewhere at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium, Blue Hawk opened their winning account after a 9-game winless run with a 36 run victory over Model Club via VJD and other methods in a rain-curtailed match.
Blue Hawk, who won the toss and opted to bat first, finished off their innings with an imposing total of 252 runs for 6 in 40 overs as Gautam (59 off 72 balls) and Amom Guniram (72 off 72 balls) posted half centuries.
Mintu Chandra (34) and Mutum Sudhir (25) also played sensibly in this innings which saw Dibak Naorem (3/47) picking up three wickets and Sunil Salam (2/55) managing two.
Chasing 211 runs in 30 overs for the win after the target was revised due to rain, Model Club were bowled out for 174 runs in 27.5 overs despite Robertson starring with a knock of 64 runs off 54 balls.
Ningombam Jackiechan, Samsung Heisnam, Semson Soibam and Gautam Soubam all claimed two wickets each and Becker Roy and Wakambam Samson picked a wicket each in this innings to set up the Model Club collapse.
Gautam Soubam who blasted 59 runs and picked two wickets earned the man of the match trophy.
March 30 matches
Blue Hawk-Khurai vs TRAU-Kwakeithel at Luwangpokpa Stadium
Al-Ameen vs SCCC at Model Hr Sec and Oriental College ground