Manipur kickstart U23 Women’s T20 Trophy campaign with 34-run victory

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 24 : Manipur got off to a flying start in the U23 Women’s T20 Trophy Plate Group competition as they beat Arunachal Pradesh by 34 runs at Police Training Academy Ground, Agartala today.
Manipur won the toss and posted a modest total of 125/4 after electing to bat first and restricted Arunachal Pradesh to 91/8 in reply to seal their first win.
It was a forgettable start for Manipur as the opening pair of B Seterny and N Taniya departed on ducks to Chukhu Anam and D Popi respectively.
From 0/2, captain Th Niruta and S Kebriya lifted the innings by adding 25 runs but Popi undone Kebriya to reduce Manipur to 25/3 in the fifth delivery of the 6th over.
Niruta then found a good partner in L Prena and they forged another 46 runs for the fourth wicket until Prena was trapped lbw out on 22 by Roshani Kumari in the 14th over.
Niruta 48 off 51 balls (5 fours) and Barkatun 35 off 22 balls (4 fours and 1 six) the produced an unbeaten 54-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take Manipur to 125/4.
Chasing 126 for the win, Arunachal Pradesh ended up scoring 91 runs losing 8 wickets as State’s frugal bowling attack led by Naoroibam Sophiya Chanu (2/17 in 4 overs) proved effective.
Niruta (1/19), Khadija (1/14 and Barkatun (1/6) also chipped in a wicket apiece for Manipur as Lozen Ashfaque 25, N Yakar 17 and Roshani Kumari 10 emerged the leading run getters for Arunachal Pradesh. Nabam Martha 3 and Viskha Goda 3 were unbeaten as they closed out their innings at 91/8.
Manipur will play Meghalaya tomorrow in their league second match.