U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy: Meghalaya lose to Sikkim despite hat-trick

Shillong, Oct 9: Mewankitbok Kharpuri took a hat-trick in Meghalaya’s first match of the U-19 men’s Vinoo Mankad Trophy 2025-26, but in a losing cause as Sikkim won by 3 wickets in Chandigarh on Thursday.

Mewankitbok turned in a brilliant performance with the ball, claiming 4/48 in his allotted 10 overs, including the hat-trick, which came in the fourth over of Sikkim’s innings. He removed opener Deepak for 13 by trapping him lbw, then had captain Denree caught by Benedict Jones Makdoh and dismissed Sahil lbw, both for golden ducks.

Gaurav Narleng provided the major resistance in Meghalaya’s innings with a fighting 33 from 36 balls, which included six fours. When he was dismissed, Meghalaya were 57/4 but were further reduced to 60/7 when Angkit Tamang (16) and Benedict (11) added 30 for the eighth wicket to get Meghalaya close to but just short of triple figures.

Gaurav also bagged 3/16 in 4.5 overs in Sikkim’s chase, marking an excellent day for him with bat and ball, but the vice-captain would have wanted victory for Meghalaya.

That was not to be as Sikkim did enough to get over the finish line. Aadnan top-scored with 27 and Inzamamul hit 21. Meghalaya’s next match will be against Manipur on Saturday.

Meanwhile, in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy plate group, both of Meghalaya’s scheduled matches have been abandoned due to adverse conditions. The plate group games are being held in Tripura and Meghalaya had been scheduled to face Manipur yesterday and Sikkim today but no play was possible. In fact, only two out of six scheduled matches have seen a result.

Meghalaya are slated to face Arunachal Pradesh next on Saturday.