Nagaland defend title, win 2nd NECDC tournament

DIMAPUR — Nagaland won the 2nd North East Cricket Development Council (NECDC) Senior Men’s Interstate Friendship Tournament by 27 runs after defeating the Manipur team in the final, successfully defending their championship title on Saturday.

The match was initially scheduled for 50 overs, but due to rain, it was reduced to 36 overs. Subsequently, due to poor lighting, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method was applied, and the match was further reduced to 32.1 overs, with a target of 193 runs.

It was played at Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Chümoukedima.

Earlier, winning the toss, Nagaland chose to bat and scored 252 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs. In reply, chasing 193 runs, Manipur could only manage 165 for the loss of eight wickets in 32.1 overs.

The NECDC Senior Men’s Interstate Friendship Tournament 2024 started on September 23 and was hosted by the Nagaland Cricket Association.

Hokaito Zhimomi from Nagaland was named man of the match in the final for scoring 96 runs, while Rajkumar Rex Singh from Manipur received the man of the series award.

The best batsman title went to Ngariyanbam Johnson Singh from Manipur, who scored a total of 119 runs. K Kense from Nagaland was recognised as the best bowler with 12 wickets, and Afzal from Nagaland was awarded best wicketkeeper for his eight dismissals, including five catches and three stumpings.

KT Sukhalu, Advisor of Food and Civil Supply and Legal Metrology, speaking during the closing ceremony, congratulated both teams and urged the players to maintain the spirit of cricket.

He noted that many youths, once recognised, often let their popularity and social pressures distract them, leading them to neglect their training and practices. He also encouraged the players to support their young brothers and sisters who have potential and interest in the sport.

Sukhalu cited the growing employment issues across the country and suggested that there is significant potential in sports as a viable career path.