Vijay Hazare Trophy Bishworjit, Johnson help Manipur end winless run

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 12 : Manipur snapped their three game losing streak in the Vijay Hazare Trophy plate group today after beating Arunachal Pradesh by 8 wickets at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
Having won the toss, Manipur chose to field first and skittled out Arunchal Pradesh for a meager 116 runs in 45 overs as Bishworjit (5/11 in 10 overs) and Johnson (3/24 in 8 overs) produced superlative bowling performances for Manipur.
Arunachal Pradesh were left stunned as they were reduced to 9 for 4 wickets within 9 overs with Bishworjit trapping opening batters Doria (1), Song Tacho (1), Techi Sonam (4) and Suraj Tayam (0) in front.
After Thomas M removed Techi Neri on 10 ball-duck, Johnson also added teeth to Manipur's bowling attack as he removed key batters like Nazeeb Saiyed (47) and RB Bishnoi Jr (25) who soak up some pressure and played a huge part in taking Arunachal Pradesh past the 100 run mark.
 Johnson then bowled out Manav Patel for 1 to reduce Arunachal Pradesh to 93-8 in 35.2 overs to return with 3 for 24 runs in 8 overs which contained 2 maidens before Bishworjit completed his five wicket haul in his spell of 10 destructive overs removing Niia for 12-ball duck to restrict Arunachal Pradesh to 98 for 9.
Akhilesh Sahani returned unbeaten on 26 after the innings wrapped with Kengo run out in the last delivery of the 45th over.
Needing 117 to win, Manipur started cautiously but lost Nitesh (12) and Bonny Chingangbam (9) in 8 overs.
However, Johnson stamped his all-round ability by scoring an unbeaten 39 off 56 balls with able assistance of Langlonyamba Meitankeishangbam (19 not out) to help Manipur reach the target in 23.4 overs.
Manipur will Sikkim in the next match on December 14.