In a thrilling finale at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Dimapur edged past Kohima by 1 wicket to lift the title in the 5th Late G. Rio Memorial Men’s U19 Inter-District Cricket Tournament 2025. The match was a gripping contest that went down to the final overs, with Samir Ali’s heroic 60run knock proving to be the difference, informed a press release by the Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA).
1st Innings – Kohima: 134/10 in 41.5 Overs
Kohima, choosing to bat first, posted a competitive total of 134 runs in 41.5 overs. Vizoletuo Zhale top-scored with a fluent 32 off 33 balls, while Thupuluzo Lohe provided stability with 26 from 57 balls.
Dimapur’s bowling attack was sharp and consistent, with Yashimeren Jamir taking 3/27 in 10 overs, and Medempok Pongen and Raja Kumar chipping in with two wickets each to restrict Kohima from posting a bigger target.
2nd Innings – Dimapur: 135/9 in 33.4 Overs
Dimapur’s chase got off to a rocky start, with regular wickets falling, but Samir Ali stood firm under pressure. His match-winning 60 off 69 balls anchored the innings and guided Dimapur to victory with just one wicket remaining in 33.4 overs.
Kohima fought valiantly till the end, with Vizoletuo Zhale starring with the ball as well, claiming 4 wickets for 24 runs in 7 overs, nearly turning the tide in his team’s favor.
Player of the Match: Samir Ali (Dimapur)
For his crucial and composed knock of 60 runs, Samir Ali was awarded the Player of the Match, playing a pivotal role in helping Dimapur clinch the championship in a high-pressure final.
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Match Summary:
- Tournament Stage: Final
- Date: April 21, 2025
- Time: 9:30 AM
- Venue: Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Chümoukedima
- Result: Dimapur won by 1 wicket
- Player of the Match: Samir Ali (Dimapur)
This victory marks a memorable end to the tournament for Dimapur, who displayed resilience and teamwork throughout their campaign. The 5th Late G. Rio Men’s U19 Tournament once again showcased the exceptional talent and competitive spirit of Nagaland’s emerging cricketers.
PRIZE DISTRIBUTION
- Player of the Tournament: Samir Ali (Dimapur)
- Best Batter: Nikato Zhimo (Zunheboto)
- Best Bowler: Sujit Kumar (Niuland)
- Best Wicket Keeper: Renben Kithan (Wokha)
- Champions: Dimapur
- Runners-up: Kohima
The closing and prize distribution ceremony was graced by M. Khairul Jamal Majumdar, Member of the Apex Council, BCCI.
