NCA Senior men’s Inter District Tournament: Day 3 | Mokokchung scripts largest margin of victory by runs in the tournament so far

Sovima, 24 May (MTNews): The first match of the day played at Nagaland Cricket Stadium was between Tseminyu and Zunheboto. After being sent in to bat first, Zunheboto did not have a great start as both their opening batsmen got out cheaply. Thejasilie 19 runs and Hauto 22 runs steadied the innings but it was the blade of Kavi Yeptho 44* runs which enabled Zunheboto to pose a competitive target of 144 in 30 overs for Tseminyu to chase. Nuntilo scalped 3 wickets, Monu took 2 wickets while Ntsenlo and Henry Kent took 1 wicket each for the Tseminyu side to restrict Zunheboto total at 143/9 at the completion of 30 overs.

In the run chase, Tseminyu started off on a positive note as the opening batsman shared a 55-run partnership with Alok Sharma scoring 53 runs and Potouzo Kent contributing with 13 runs. It ultimately started to look like easy sailing for Tseminyu but Kavi Yeps, who took 5 wickets in 4 overs, and Zunheboto’s captain Hopito Assumi who scalped 3 wickets had other plans as they dismantled the batting line up of Tseminyu. Monu Kumar made a crucial 22 runs during the carnage to help his team’s total. However, it was Henry Kent 21* runs and Shasinlo Kent 9* runs who took the Tseminyu team home, winning the match by 2 wickets in 25.4 overs.

Man of the match was awarded to Monu Kumar for his crucial 22 runs knock and 2 wickets claim.

Mokokchung versus Phek, Nagaland Cricket Stadium

Winning the toss, Mokokchung opted to bat first and with a captain’s knock of 85 runs by Vijay Rai and duly supported by Champo 51 runs, Nripen Rai 32 runs, Nihal Rai 15 runs and 11 runs from Menchet Pongen, Mokokchung went on its way to register an imposing target of 226 runs for Phek to win it. Viza was the pick of the Phek bowlers with 2 wickets while Suzuto and Porato claimed 1 wicket each.

With a mountain of a challenge waiting, the Phek team in the run chase with 226 runs required for the win, the batsmen could not withstand the pressure and went all out for just 34 runs in 13.5 overs. Longsasunep gave a dazzling performance for the Mokokchung bowling unit as he picked up 6 wickets in 3.5 overs giving away only 10 runs. Odilemba Kichu, Temsulong, Basant and Nihal Rai all shared a wicket each to pull the curtains down for the Phek Team. Mokokchung won the match by an astounding 192 runs.

Man of the Match was awarded to Longsasunep for his 6-wicket haul.

Kohima versus Mon, Sovima Cricket Ground

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Kohima started off brilliantly with Imomenba silencing the naysayers with a brilliant 97-run knock in 81 balls. Hikato 13 runs and Zipa 65 runs also made important contributions for Kohima to impose a mammoth total of 204 runs losing 5 wickets for Mon to chase for a win. Shamwang Wangnao was the pick of the Mon bowlers striking 3 wickets while Phaknyu Konyak and Pangnyei picked a wicket each.

In the run chase, Mon got off to a calm start with Shamwang Wangnao scoring 24 runs and Ahon Konyak 17 runs; however, after their dismissal, the stormy bowling attack of Kohima hit the Mon team hard as Sepichem and Kelhousilie combined to take 4 wickets each for the team and Samuel Zaputou claimed 2 wickets to dismantle the batting line up of Mon which succumbed to 65 runs all out in 18.4 overs making Kohima win by a margin of 139 runs.

Man of the match was awarded to Imomenba Walling for his knock of 97 runs.