8th MNCA Plate TournamentIBSA top Group B with 85-run thrashing of THAU, secure semi-final spot

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 22 : IBSA-Yumnam Leikai consolidated themselves in the pole position in 8th MNCA Plate Tournament Group B after an 85-run thrashing of THAU-Thangmeiband today for the 6th win in 7 matches at Moijing Public Ground.
It was the top of the table affair with both teams having a fair share of opportunity to seal pole position and qualify for the semi-finals.
Despite the loss, THAU are second on 9 points and their qualification into the knock-out stage will depend on results of matches of YAC who are third on 8 points from 6 matches and OSCAR who are fourth on 6 points from 5 matches.
IBSA posted a competitive total of 202 runs for 8 in allotted 40 overs after being put in to bat first and defended their total by bowling out THAU for 117 runs in 30.4 overs. Lemba Singh 41 off 54 balls, Md Azmad 38 off 25 balls, N Heromen 28 off 72 balls and Riyaz Mohamad 26 off 36 balls were the main run getter for the Yumnam Leikai team in their innings which saw Surash Singh (3/43) and Aden Singh (2/47) sharing five wickets. Romesh and Joykishon of THAU also claimed a wicket each in thi innings.
In the chase, THAU had a stuttering start losing three top order batsmen in quick successions. Usham Gunabanta (21 off 38 balls) and Joykishon (30 off 47 balls) tried their best to hold things together with a significant fourth wicket partnership but could not last long as Bonny ripped things apart and returned with best bowling figures of 4/20 in 5.4 overs.
Karan (2/12) also added teeth to their bowling effort as Pravesh, Md Azmad, Nelson and Heromen claimed a wicket apiece.
Bonny of IBSA who starred with his bowling was adjudged man of the match.
Elsewhere at Lairenjam Public Ground, YAC registered a 2 wicket win over SHADOW-Thangmeiband to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
 SHADOW were bundled out for 118 runs in 32.1 overs after being offered to bat first and YAC cruised to winning 122 within 29.4 overs with 2 wickets left to spare.
Aslam 22, Lanchenba 20 not out, and Redlin 19 were the man score getters for SHADOW as Chunthao 3/17, Priyokumar 2/0 and Indrakumar 2/30 of YAC kept things tight.
In reply, YAC too faced resistance but P Priyokumar 24, Indrakumar 28, Joychandra 12 and Abocha 10 not out set up the victory.
Rahul 3/21 and Dennis 2/10 of SHADOW produced good bowling performances in this innings.
Chunthao of YAC who led the bowling attack was named man of the match.