
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 7 : Manipur went down by 6 wickets to Bihar to settle for the runners up title in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate Tournament yesterday at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi.
Asked to bat first, Manipur slumped to 169 all out despite half century knocks from Khwairakpam Ulenyai and Pheiroijam Jotin before Bihar cruised to the target in 31.2 overs on the back of Ayush Loharuka’s 72-ball 75.
Earlier in the first innings, Bihar’s Shabbir Khan rain riot across the Manipur batting line up as he enjoyed a 7-for (7/30) in his spell of 8 overs while Himanshu Tiwari recorded a three wickets haul (3/23 ) in 7.5 overs including Bishorjit for the 10th wicket.
Manipur had a dismal start and slumped to 24/6 in 6.5 overs losing all the wickets to Shabbir Khan who picked his first in the form of Karnajit before dislodging Langlonyamba, Santosh, and Johnson in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th deliveries of the fifth over to complete his hattrick and four wicket haul beforing dismissing Priyojit on a 2-ball in the final delivery.
Shabbir then had his 6th wicket in the form of Ng Jameson on a 3-ball duck in the 7th over before removing Kishan Singha on 10 to finish with the best figures of 7/30.
From 24/6, Ulenyai and Jotin forged a 110-run partnership but Himanshu Tiwari broke the partnership by removing Ulenyai on 61 for the 7th wicket before bowling out Jotin on 51 off 89 balls for the 8th wicket.
Thokchom Kishan Singh was unbeaten on 17 off 27 as Manipur folded up the innings at 169 in 47.5 overs.
In reply, Bihar did not face much of a resistance despite Bishworjit, Jotin, Th Kishan and L Kishan Singha claiming one wicket apiece as Ayush Loharuka played a pivotal role in keeping the scoreboard ticking until he was caught and bowled by Jotin for the 4th wicket as the scoreboard read 154.
Akash Raj 20 not out off 31 and Bipin Saurabh 8 not out off 4 then produced 16-run stand for the 5th wicket to finish off the chase in 31.2 overs.