Chandigarh crush Manipur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 16

Mohd Arslan Khan’s dream run with the bat continued as he smashed his fourth century of the tournament to help Chandigarh crush Manipur by 252 runs in their Plate group match of the Men’s U-23 One Day Trophy at the KIIT Stadium in Cuttack today. 

Electing to bat, Chandigarh, led by Khan’s 72-ball 104 and some lusty blows by Raman Bishnoi and Bhagmender Lather towards the end of the innings piled up 385/8 in 50 overs.

Khan and skipper Jagmeet Singh stitched a 113-run partnership for the first wicket to lay a solid platform for the Chandigarh innings. Khan, in particular, was severe on Manipur bowlers, punishing anything that was off the line. 

The left-hander smashed 16 boundaries and two sixes before being caught by Sheik Jaali Ahmed Chisti off Loktongbam Meitei in the 22nd over. Earlier, Jagmeet was sent back by Dipu Singh Lourembam on 31.

Sanyam Saini and Amrit Lubana also had decent starts but could not go a long way. While Saini was cleaned up by Gautam Soubam after hitting 33 off 31 balls, Lubana was castled by Chingakham Singh on 18 as Chandigarh were reduced to 212/5 in 31.2 overs.

Bishnoi and Lather then took the charge and together they propelled Chandigarh to 356 before Chingakham Singh brought an end to the 144-run stand between the two. 

Lather was out after smashing 48-ball 70, including three sixes and 11 boundaries. Bishnoi, though, kept the onslaught going from the other and pushed the total to 381 with an over to spare. He finally fell to Chingakham Singh on 94. 

Bishnoi’s 62-ball stay in the middle was studded with 10 four and four sixes.

Nikhil Sharma remained not out on three and Jagjit Sandhu made an unbeaten four as Chandigarh finally closed their innings on 385/8.

Chingakham Singh was the most effective bowler for Manipur, claiming 4/35 in his 10 overs. 

Chasing a stiff target, Manipur were bowled out for 133 runs in 39.1 overs as Chandigarh bowlers struck in unison. Jagjit Singh (2/31), Lather (2/21), Harshit Singh (2/22) and Lubana (2/0) took two wickets each, while Mandeep Singh claimed 1/34.       

Santosh Singh (37) and Bikramjit Singh (22) made noticeable contributions to the chase. 

Men’s U-23 c’ship

Chandigarh 385/8 in 50 overs (Mohd Arslan Khan 104, Raman Bishnoi 94, Bhagmender Lather 70; Chingakham Singh 4/35) beat Manipur (Santosh Singh 37, Bikramjit Singh 22; Amrit Lubana 2/0, Bhagmender Lather 2/21)