Shillong, Nov 30: Meghalaya registered their third win in four Ranji Trophy games by beating Manipur by nine wickets in their plate group fixture in Kolkata today.
Meanwhile, the two states began a match in the U-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy here today where 17 wickets fell on the opening day.
In Kolkata Manipur resumed their second innings on the third day on 125/8, leading by just 10 runs. That they went on to score another 47 runs before they were bowled out was thanks in large measure to Yashpal Singh, who went from 69 not out yesterday at stumps to 103 not out today before he ran out of partners.
Manipur were thus bowled out for 172. Abhay Negi added to his tally of two wickets from yesterday to finish with 3/34. There were no further wickets, however, for Gurinder Singh, who ended with 5/46 (match figures of 8/98), or Aditya Singhania (1/38 and match figures of 5/80).
Meghalaya had just 58 runs to chase, which they did comfortably in 11.1 overs for the loss of one wicket. An attacking Raj Biswa struck 44 not out off just 35 deliveries to see his side home and with another six points in the bag. The opening batsman struck a total of 131 runs in this match.
U-23 COL CK NAYUDU TROPHY
Manipur are proving to be tougher opponents for Meghalaya in the U-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy plate group match that began today at the MCA Cricket Ground here.
The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first but were bowled out for 126. Kartik Pawar claimed 3/53 to finish with the best figures for Meghalaya, while there was also a brace each for Md Nafees (2/5), Arbin Singh (2/23) and captain Akash Kumar (2/24).
Meghalaya, however, also found it hard going with the bat and were 92/7, 34 runs behind, when bad light stopped play.
IF Thabah managed 17 at the top of the order, but there was some late resistance provided by Pawar (14 not out) and Nafees (11 not out), who were at the crease when play ended.
(Photo of the U-23 Col CK Nayudu match contributed by the Meghalaya Cricket Association)