M’laya to play first Mushtaq Ali Trophy match on Saturday

Shillong, Nov 21: Meghalaya’s senior men’s team will make the transition from first-class to T20 cricket when they play their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 match against Hyderabad on Saturday.
Like other BCCI member associations, the Meghalaya Cricket Association had been involved in the first-class Ranji Trophy but this has now been paused and the domestic season enters limited overs cricket, with the T20 SMAT taking place first. Meghalaya’s matches will be held in Rajkot, Gujarat.
The MCA’s senior men selection committee has made its decision on the composition of the state team for the first three matches of the tournament – versus Hyderabad on 23 November, versus Madhya Pradesh on 25 November and versus Bihar on 27 November. The selection will be reviewed on the basis of performance.
The squad is largely the same as for the Ranji team but with a few notable exceptions – Kishan Lyngdoh is not part of the 15-member contingent but he did not play in the SMAT last season either. The MCA is also not using any of the three guest professionals that were utilised in the Ranji Trophy.
As they take on Hyderabad in their opening match, the squad will aim to make an impact in the fast-paced format, building on their experience from the Ranji Trophy. The team looks to showcase their adaptability as they represent the state on a national platform.
Meghalaya squad for first 3 matches: Aryan Borah, Akash Kumar Choudhary, Anish Charak, Arpit Bhatewara, Arien B Sangma, Dippu Sangma, Himan C Phukan, Ibitlang Thabah, Jaskirat Singh Sachdeva, Lerry G Sangma, Ram Gurung, Roshan Warbah, Robert Sangma, Swarajeet Das, Wanlambok Nongkhlaw
Standbys: Chengkam Sangma, Riboklang Hynniewta, Chaman Pushp, Yogesh Tiwari, Pringsang Sangma
Support staff: Prabhakar Bairgond (Head Coach), Moisten Ch Marak (Assistant Coach), Surojit Biswas (Physio), Vikash Singh Chauhan (Trainer), Monoronjon Momin (Manager).