Sikkim bounces back with easy win

GANGTOK,: Sikkim bounced back from two successive defeats with an eight-wicket Vijay Hazare win over Manipur on Thursday.
Anureet Singh, Mohammed Saptula and Anwesh Karan Sharma starred with the ball before skipper Robin Bist and Ashish Thapa guided Sikkim to a comfortable win.
Against a struggling Manipur, Sikkim were in charge throughout as they condemned the fellow Northeast side to their third straight defeat.
It was a much-needed win for Sikkim, who lost to Nagaland and Meghalaya earlier this week.
After electing to bat first, Manipur were bowled out for 162 runs in 40.1 overs.  Anureet and Saptula took three wickets each and youngster Anwesh grabbed two wickets.
Saptula built the pressure on the opponent from the beginning by sending both the opening pair back to the pavilion.
Opener Ashish Thapa, who scored 79 in the previous game, added 43 runs on board and Robin Bist scored a run-a-ball 85 not-out as Sikkim went past the total in 36.1 overs losing just two wickets. The duo shared a 99-run partnership for second wicket.
Sikkim will next face Assam on February 27.