AKSDO beat RCA to seal 4th MNCA Men’s U19 One Day Trophy title

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 29 : AKSDO, Khangabok successfully defended a modest total of 110 runs to defeat arch-rivals and defending champions RCA, Lilong by 18 runs in a classic grand finale of the 4th MNCA Men’s U19 One Day Trophy at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium, Luwangsangbam.
 Despite a magnificent bowling display by RCA's attack that resulted in AKSDO’s collapse at 110 in 34.1 overs, AKSDO’s disciplined six-man bowling unit triggered a fatal batting collapse to bundle RCA out for 92 runs in 35.5 overs.
Choosing to set a target under scoreboard pressure, AKSDO ran into early trouble when opener Chingamba Elangbam fell cheaply.
Captain Laishram Samson Meetei and wicketkeeper-batsman Maibam Borish Mangang anchored the innings for a while with a gritty partnership. Samson was stumped by wicketkeeper Md Alfash off the bowling of RCA skipper Naesh Hussain, breaking the critical 27-run stand.
Following Samson's dismissal, AKSDO suffered a severe middle-order collapse, sliding quickly down to the lower order. Lower-order batsman Saikhom Lanchenba  chipped in with a vital 10 runs to push the team past the 110-run mark before the side was bundled out in 34.1 overs.
Nawaz Sarif dismantled the lower order with an exceptional spell of 4 wickets for 18 runs across 5 overs. He was brilliantly supported by captain Naesh Hussain, who maintained intense pressure to claim a highly restrictive 3 wickets for just 6 runs in his 8 overs, while MD Danish Khan and Zuned picked up a wicket apiece.
Chasing the target of 111, RCA's top order collapsed under high-intensity opening spells from AKSDO. They lost openers Syed Sami ul and Md Alfash early, leaving them reeling at 10/2.
Md Safwan Ahamed attempted to rebuild the innings with a patient 18 off 43 balls, while captain Naesh Hussain counter-attacked briefly with a quickfire 15 off 15 balls. However, both batsmen were clean-bowled in successive overs by Saikhom Kaiku Meetei and Chingamba Elangbam respectively, leaving RCA stranded at 54/5.
AKSDO’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, ripping through the lower-middle order. \
A late-order resistance from Heibokmayum Lucky Ahmed delayed the inevitable, but he was eventually dismissed in the 36th over as RCA fell 18 runs short of the title.
Shailesh Khundrakpam led the match-winning defensive effort with an outstanding spell of 3 wickets for 12 runs, while Saikhom Dinesh provided crucial breakthroughs to take 2 wickets for 26 runs. Every other bowler used—Saikhom Kaiku Meetei, Saikhom Lanchenba , Bidyananda Ningthoujam, and Chingamba Elangbam—chipped in seamlessly with one wicket each to maintain complete control.
Winners AKSDO were feted with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a trophy as RCA received a cash prize of Rs 30,000 and a trophy.
Player of the final match- Shailesh Khundrakpam of AKSDO (Rs 2000+ Trophy), highest wicket taker and player of the tournament- Zuned of RCA (30 wickets and 319 runs in 8 innings : Rs 2,500 +Trophy; Rs 5,000+ Trophy), highest run scorer of the tournament- Md Anush of RCA (444 runs in 8 innings; Rs 2,500+ Trophy) were also feted during the closing ceremony.