Batsmen from Nagaland Senior Men's cricket team during its match with Tripura at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy, Dehradun on October 18. (Photo Courtesy: NCA)
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 18 (MExN): In a close encounter, Nagaland Senior Men's cricket team lost to Tripura by 3 wickets in 19.5 overs at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023-24 today at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy, Dehradun.
After having won the toss, Nagaland's captain Jonathan Rongsen elected to bat first and the two Nagaland openers, Sedezhalie Rupreo (31 runs) and Joshua Ben Longkumer (46 runs) provided a solid start with a partnership of 82 runs in 12 overs. It looked like Nagaland was enroute to a big total on the scoreboard.
However, the Tripura team disciplined bowling attack led by AS Sarkar was key as he took the two crucial wickets of Joshua Ben Longkumer and Sumit Kumar (21 runs) who were looking good and connecting the ball to hit some glorious boundaries and sixes. Later, the experienced duo of Jonathan Rongsen* (13 runs *not out) and Hokaito Zhimomi (8 runs) combined to construct a competitive total of 129 runs on the board with Tripura requiring 130 runs for a win on a tricky pitch.
In the run chase, Tripura lost their opener Bikram Kumar Das (4 runs) in the first over itself as Nagaland's bowler Jaganath Sinivas engaged Imliwati for a beautiful catch at the deep to dismiss him. However, the national icon and player Wriddhiman Saha who is currently playing for Tripura as their captain led the charge with a brilliant 41 runs knock. N Sen Choudhury, 28 runs and RA Dey, 24 runs were the other notable run scorers for Tripura while AK Sarma drew down the curtains with a six to settle the game in favour of Tripura. Jaganath Sinivas scalped 3 wickets while Tahmeed Rehman and the teenage sensation Khrievitso Kense picked up 2 and 1 wickets respectively for Nagaland.
Earlier, Nagaland's first match with Madhya Pradesh got washed out due to rain. The team will next play Delhi on October 19 at 11 AM at Maharana Pratap College Ground, Dehradun. Live matches will be available on all Jio Applications and on sports18 channel.
