8th MNCA Elite TournamentJotin picks five, hits ton to fire PTRC into final

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 28 : Jotin Singh Pheiroijam produced a remarkable all-round performance to help PTRC, Patsoi Part IV crush CHAMP CC, Khagempalli by 8 wickets at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium in the second qualifier (playoffs) of the 8th MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite Tournament.
The result meant that PTRC are set to face CYCLONE, Thangmeiband in the title clash on May 2.
PTRC won the toss and chose wisely to field first and bowled out CHAMP CC for 200 runs riding on medium pacer Jotin Pheiroijam and pacer Bishworjit Konthoujam before Jotin hit an unbeaten ton to steer PTRC to the target in 34.5 overs.
CHAMP had a slow start to their innings and managed to add 50/2 wickets in 12.3 overs before being reduced to 61/3 with Bishworjit Konthoujam and Jotin Pheiroijam having removed Leikhram Johny for 13 in the 9th over and Narsingh Yadav on 22 in the 10th over and Ngariyanbam Johnson getting rid of Lairenjam Ansh in the 16th over for the third wicket. Nitesh Sedai and Moirangthem Thomas however gave CHAMP CC some hope adding 88 runs for the fourth wicket  but Bishworjit Konthoujam trapped Thomas for 25 runs in the 30th over to break the partnership.
Another medium pacer Chingakham Bidash joined the party and got rid of Sultan Karim for 8 runs to reduce CHAMP CC to 181 for 5 in the 33rd over.
Nitesh Sedai who was trying to anchor was trapped lbw on 70 by RK Rex for the 6th wicket in the second delivery of the 34th over to reduce CHAMP CC to 185.
It was the turning point as CHAMP could muster only 15 more runs to finish the innings at 200 as Jotin Pheiroijam swept the last four wickets to return with the best bowling figures of 5/32 in 7 overs.
Bishworjit Konthoujam in the meantime returned with the bowling figures of 2/32 in 6 overs.
In reply, Jotin Pheiroijam smacked 7 fours and 5 sixes on the way to his unbeaten 100 to forge an unbeaten third wicket 164-run partnership with Khangembam Santosh (66 not out)  to help PTRC stroll to winning 201/2 in 34.5 overs after PTRC were reduced to 37/2 in 9.1 overs.
Jotin Pheiroijam who shone with both the bat and ball was adjudged man of the match.