RCA-Lilong Won the 4th MNCA U-16 Boys Naorem Rajningthou Memorial Trophy 2023-2024

Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by SPN Editor

Imphal/November 07, 2023 (SPN)| RCA-Lilong was crowned champions of the 4th MNCA U-16 Boys Naorem Rajningthou Memorial Trophy 2023-24 at the Model Higher Secondary School and Oriental College ground after defeating AKSDO- Khangabok by 139 runs in the title clash yesterday.

Confident RCA-Lilong put up a competitive total of 189 runs for 4 wickets in their allotted 35 overs after choosing to bat first. This was made possible by Danish Khan, who scored a half-century. In response, RCA-Lilong bowled out AKSDO-Khangabok for just 50 runs in 18.3 overs to secure a convincing victory. Zunad Hussain delivered an outstanding bowling performance, claiming five wickets.

RCA-Lilong had a shaky start as their top-order batsmen, Md Samir and Nawaz Sharif, were dismissed for ducks. However, Md Safwan (28 runs off 50 balls) and Md Anush (38 runs off 47 balls) helped stabilize the innings. Danish Khan then played a crucial innings, scoring 71 runs from 63 balls, and Naesh contributed 29 runs off 30 balls for the fifth-wicket partnership, allowing the Lilong team to post a total of 189 runs.

In response, AKSDO’s L Nungshiba took two wickets for 39 runs in 5 overs, while N Sanayai and S Lanchenba each claimed a wicket.

AKSDO-Khangabok faced a challenging outing as their top three batsmen were dismissed cheaply, and four batsmen were out for ducks. They were eventually bowled out for just 50 runs in 18.3 overs, with Md Zunad Hussain leading the way with his impressive figures of 5/13. L Samson was the only batsman to reach double digits for AKSDO, scoring 23 runs off 45 balls. Md Danish of RCA also took 2 wickets. Nawaz Sharif and Naesh Hussain contributed with a wicket each to help RCA-Lilong conclude AKSDO’s innings.

Md Danish Khan of RCA-Lilong who excelled with both bat and ball, was named the Man of the Match.

During the prize distribution ceremony, Leishangthem Ronel Singh, Secretary of the Manipur Cricket Association; Chongtham Nishikanta Singh, Treasurer within the same association, and Syed Sultan Ahmed, Joint Secretary of the Manipur Cricket Association were present. L. Helen Singh, Chairman of the CRAU Cricket Committee and the Donor of the MNCA Under 16 Boys Naorem Rajningthou Memorial Trophy, Dr. Naorem Iboton Singh, a former Dean of CAU, also joined the prize distribution ceremony.

In his speech, Dr. Naorem Iboton encouraged the young cricketers to maintain a healthy diet, stay away from the issues of drug abuse that plague the state and emphasized the importance of being fluent in languages like English and Hindi. He suggested that being proficient in these languages would boost their self-confidence when playing outside the state.

Yumnam Achouba Singh of YWC (L) was awarded the title of Most Emerging Player for his outstanding performance, scoring 277 runs and taking 20 wickets in 7 innings. The Highest Wicket-Taker trophy was shared by Saikhom Kaiku Meetei of AKSDO-Khangabok, who bagged 22 wickets in 9 innings, and Ningthoujam Kenedy Singh of YUCC, who also took 22 wickets in 7 innings.

Robinson Sougaijam of PTRC was recognized as the Highest Run-Scorer of the 4th MNCA Under 16 Boys Naorem Rajningthou Memorial Trophy 2023-2024, having scored an impressive 377 runs in 6 innings.

M Thomson of TCMDC was honored with the title of Man of the Series, thanks to his outstanding performance in both batting and bowling, scoring 329 runs and taking 15 wickets in 9 innings.

YUCC Kwakeithel Moirangpurel was awarded the Fairplay team of the tournament, acknowledging their sportsmanship and fair conduct throughout the competition.