A veterans’ cricket exhibition match between the DECF and KDVCC was played at Sovima on November 13.
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 15 (MExN): A veteran cricket exhibition match between Dimapur Ex-Cricketers Forum (DECF) and Kohima District Veterans Cricket Club (KDVCC) was played at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima on November 13.
Exceptional power hitting display by Dimapur veterans batsmen in the second match fashioned a comfortable 127 runs win over Kohima veterans.
In match 1, KDVCC won the toss and elected to field. Despite some very disciplined and incisive bowling by Kohima bowlers, DECF were able to set a respectable target of 123 runs in 20 overs. Vishu scored 46 valuable runs for Dimapur team. Merentemsu of KDVCC snared two wickets.
Chasing a target of 124 runs to win, KDVCC batsmen made an explosive start to their inning taking 22 runs in the first two overs but crumbled under pressure after some very fine bowling by DECF in the final overs and were bundled out for 106 runs, giving DECF a very decisive lead of 17 runs for the next match. Sunep and Limasunep smashed an identical 16 runs for KDVCC, while Vishu and Rex took two wickets respectively. For his fine all round performance Vishu of DECF was declared Man of the Match.
In match 2, KDVCC won the toss again and elected to field first. Two swashbuckling half centuries from Toni and Dhiraj (both retired hurt) helped DECF post a mammoth total of 215 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Kekhrievor of KDVCC took two wickets.
Chasing a combined total of 232 runs for victory, the Kohima batsmen capitulated in search of quick runs and were all out for a paltry score of 105 runs. For KDVCC, Atha and Kekhrievor scored 26 runs and 17 runs respectively. Rishi took 3 wickets for DECF, while Dhiraj and Dolly chipped in with two wickets. Another fine all round performance by DECF player Dhiraj won the second MOM for Dimapur team.
In the closing ceremony, host Senti Longkumer thanked the President of Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) and his colleagues for giving veteran cricketers from Kohima and Dimapur an opportunity to re-unite and play this historic exhibition match in Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima. Hyunilo Khing General Secretary of NCA, in his closing speech stated that this exhibition game being the first ever veterans match, he was optimistic that other districts will also follow suit.
President of KDVCC, Atsato Kibami affirmed the significance of this historic match saying that the veteran cricket matches should continue in future and also include other districts. He informed that they have registered their club under the Home Department, and their objective is to promote young cricketers and cricket in general.
The KDVCC and DECF acknowledged the support and initiatives taken by the Officials of NCA, Hemkunt Motors, individual sponsors from both teams, umpires Mustafa & Tia Tzudir, and other volunteers.
