Shillong, Dec 10: Meghalaya are four wickets away from victory against Nagaland in the U-19 men’s Cooch Behar Trophy 2025-26 plate group after a crucial last 45 minutes of the third day today saw the home side seize the upper hand.
Set an imposing target of 375 to win, Nagaland batted superbly when their second innings began and were cautiously optimistic on 194/2 at the MCA Ground here.
Nagaland enjoyed facing Meghalaya’s spinners and that led Angkit Tamang, the hosts’ captain, to bring himself back into the attack, with Apandanka Marak operating from the other end as the sun began to set. The change to pace bowling paid dividends as the pair removed two batters each to leave Nagaland on 208/6 at stumps. The visitors could still pull off victory but need another 167 runs on the last day tomorrow.
Earlier, Meghalaya resumed play on 137/5 and were dismissed for 227. To recap, Meghalaya had made 312 in their first innings before dismissing Nagaland for 165.
Shyerinlo Thong made 47 and Tachuye Trakha 62 as Nagaland started the chase strongly. The openers put on 93 for the first wicket before Shyerinlo was caught at short midwicket by Sameer Choudhury off the bowling of Gaurav Jyoti Thakuria (1/43). Mewankitbok Kharpuri (1/54) then had Tachuye caught at gully but Nagaland refused to be fazed as Jesevilie Dzeyie (39) and Aloto Sumi (32) added 62 for the third wicket.
As the batters scored runs at will, the Meghalaya players went quiet in the field. To shake things up Angkit brought himself back into the attack. He bowled Jesevilie in the 53rd over and eight balls later Apandanka did the same to new batter Samir Ali (1). Apandanka then trapped the next batter in, Yashimeren Jamir, LBW for a duck and Angkit finished off the day by removing Aloto, with Rudra Singh Rathor taking a sharp catch at point.
Earlier, Meghalaya were able to add 90 runs to their overnight score but this still fell short of their own expectations. No batter got a big score, with Rudra’s 36 the highest. Heiyoomiki Ryngkhlem provided a helpful 23 at No. 9 while No. 11 Apandanka was unbeaten on 15 at the end.
Medempok Pongen took one wicket today to finish with figures of 5/45, while Aloto bagged 3/44 and Thupuluzo took 2/51.
