Shillong, Nov 15: Meghalaya continued their dominant run in the U-23 Men’s State A Trophy 2025-26 with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Nagaland in Mohali today, securing their fourth consecutive win in the plate group.

Winning the toss and opting to bowl, Meghalaya made full use of the conditions as Nagaland collapsed for a mere 85 runs in 32.1 overs. The disciplined bowling attack saw Chandra Bahadur Thapa emerge as the standout performer with impressive figures of 3/9 in 5.1 overs. Introduced as the sixth bowler, Thapa proved to be the most destructive. Shavian Blah also shone with 3/20 in 6 overs, while Gavineal Marpna was extremely economical, returning 2/9 from his 8 overs. Pushkar Raj Singh (1/8 in 3 overs) and Denikcheng Marak (1/12 in 5 overs) picked up a wicket each to complete a clinical bowling effort.

Raja Swarnkar was the only notable contributor for Nagaland, scoring 25 runs before the batting lineup crumbled.

In reply, Meghalaya’s openers Dipankar Baruah and Thunun Marak provided a steady start, bringing up 50 runs in around 15 overs. Dipankar’s innings of 33 off 51 balls (3 fours, 1 six) was cut short by Kelhousilie Zaputou, who also dismissed Shavian for a duck. However, the outcome was never in doubt as Thunun held firm with an unbeaten 29 off 67 balls (5 fours), and Md Ashif Khan added a brisk 16 not out from 16 deliveries (3 fours) to wrap up the chase in 23.2 overs.

The victory sets up a much-anticipated clash between the two unbeaten teams in the group, Meghalaya and Mizoram, scheduled for Monday in Chandigarh.