Bihar veterans prove too strong for Manipur

Patna, April 6, 2011: Nikhilesh Ranjan and Tarun Kumar hit centuries as Bihar thrash Manipur by 216 runs on the opening day of the East Zone inter-state veterans’ cricket tournament at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Wednesday.

Altogether five teams West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Manipur, besides hosts Bihar, are taking part in the championships.

Electing to bat first, Bihar amassed 309 runs for the loss of three wickets off 40 overs. In reply, Manipur could manage to score 93 runs in 24.5 overs.

Bihar skipper Nikhilesh Ranjan scored 108 (retired hurt) runs while Tarun Kumar made quick-fire 102. They together put on a big century-partnership for third wicket. Tarun century came off 67 balls with 14 boundaries and two sixes. Pratay Amrit 20 and Rajesh Sinha 17 were the other main contributors for the team.

L. Sujeet Singh took two wickets for Manipur.

In reply, H. Sunil Singh (34) not out, M Apuncha Singh (14) and B Vishwajeet (15) could reach the double figures for Manipur. Prakash Singh and Amit Shetty took four and three wickets respectively for the winners.

Earlier, Pradeep Kumar, managing director, Bihar State Food Corporation inaugurated the tournament. Kumar Shailendra, working president, Bihar Masters Cricket Association welcomed the guests and Arun Kumar Singh, organising secretary proposed a vote of thanks.

Brief scores:

Bihar: 309 for three wickets in 40 overs (Nikhilesh Ranjan-108 retd hurt, Pratyay Amrit-20, Tarun Kumar-102 retd hurt, Rajesh Sinha-17 not out, L Sujit Singh-2/35, G Nab Kumar-1/28).

Manipur: 93 all out in 24.5 overs (B Bishwajeet-15, H Sunil Singh-34 not out, 4x4, M Abungcha Singh-14, Prakash Kumar-4/21, Amit Shetty-3/3).

Man of the match: Nikhlesh Ranjan and Tarun Kumar.

Photo caption: Pradeep Kumar, Managing Director, Bihar State Food Corporation is being introduced to players at the opening function of East Zone veterans cricket tournament in Patna on April 6, 2011.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui