Naesh, Rain star as Manipur win Cooch Behar Trophy Plate Group title

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 26 : Naesh Hussain and Rain bowled Manipur to a 7-wicket win over hosts Nagaland in the title clash of the Cooch Behar Trophy Plate Group at Sovima Cricket Ground, Sovima yesterday.
The win also earned Manipur a place in the Elite Group of the U-19 First Class Tournament next season.
Manipur, who closed out the first day at 170/9 to take a 41-run first innings lead, were bundled out for the same score as they resumed the innings yesterday morning as  Yashimeren Jamir completed his haul of 9 wicket (9/47 in 17.5 overs) in the fifth delivery of the 42nd over.
Notably, Thokchom Lucky scored a half century (55 off 50; 6 fours and 1 six) in the first innings followed by Reolin 24 off 28, Lanchenba 20 not out off 55, Danish 17 off 24, Kaiku 14 off 31, Max 11 off 18, Ali Karim 10 off 19, Naesh 10 off 9.
After the innings break, Nagaland, who added 129 runs in the first innings (in 46.2 overs), faltered yet again and collapsed at 115 within 54.5 overs as Naesh, improved from his four wicket haul in the first innings, to enjoy a fifer (5/38 runs in 22 overs that include 9 maidens).
Oinam Reolin (2/7 in 6 overs) and Yumnam Chingkhei Nganba (2/21 in 12.5 overs) also shared four wickets and Rain picked one (1/11 in 5 overs).
Samir Ali 31 off 51, Aloto Sumi 29 off 58, and Darsh Choudhary 21 off 104 were the main run getters for Nagaland in this innings.
Chasing 45 for the victory, Manipur cruised to the winning 77 within 19.4 overs to seal the huge victory. After losing two wickets to Darsh Choudhary and Lanchenba got run out for the third wicket, it were Sougaijam Robinson 20 not out off 43 and Ali Karim 23 not out off 43 who gathered 43-runs for the fourth wicket to take Manipur to the winning 77 in 19.4 overs.
Naesh Hussain who enjoyed a match haul of 9 wickets was adjudged player of the final match as Aloto Sumi of Nagaland was adjuded player of the series.