THAU trounce AKSDO by 5 wickets to lift inaugural MNCA Women’s U19 T20 Trophy

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 14: THAU, Thangmeiband were crowned champions of the inaugural MNCA Women’s U19 T20 Trophy after pulling off a hard-fought five-wicket victory over AKSDO, Khangabok today at the Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium. The tournament was organised by the Manipur Cricket Association.
Rain forced officials to curtail the final match to 17 overs per innings. After winning the toss and electing to bat, AKSDO struggled to find momentum against a disciplined THAU bowling attack and were restricted to 61/6.
Taniya Ningthoujam anchored the top order for AKSDO with a 27-ball 19. However, it was a 20-run fifth-wicket stand between Rabina Khundrakpam (10 off 16 balls) and Langlen Ningthoujam that provided the highest partnership of the innings. Langlen remained unbeaten on 12 off 20 balls, while Henthoisana Takhellambam added a quick 2 not out off 1 ball to close the innings.
Thokchom Purni was the pick of the bowlers for THAU, returning impressive figures of 2/18, while Hijam Malemkhombi kept things tight with 1/6 from her two overs.
In reply, THAU’s chase started on a shaky note. Laishram Linthoi Chanu provided an early breakthrough for AKSDO by dismissing Robeni (3 off 13 balls) in the fourth over. Creety Moirangthem kept the scoreboard moving with a crucial 20 off 20 balls before her dismissal in the seventh over triggered a middle-order collapse.
AKSDO bowlers Thokchom Langlen (1/10), Henthoisana Takhellambam (1/4), and Alish Thokchom (1/13) picked up a wicket apiece to reduce THAU to a precarious 48/5 by the 13th over.
Despite the mounting pressure, Thoithoibi Ahongshangbam (11 not out off 20 balls) and Marvi Maibam (5 off 9 balls) showed immense composure. The duo withstood a disciplined AKSDO bowling spell to guide THAU to their target in 15.3 overs, sealing the historic title with 9 balls to spare.
Winners THAU walked away Rs 20,000 richer and the title trophy as runners up AKSDO settled for a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and a trophy.
THAU's Creety Moirangthem was named player of the match for her crucial 20-run knock and was awarded a cash prize of Rs 1,000.  Her teammate, Thokchom Purni, swept the individual honours, walking away with both the Highest Wicket-Taker and Player of the Tournament awards. Purni, who claimed 16 wickets across six innings, received cash prizes of Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,500, respectively. Meanwhile, Kebriya Sapam of SHADOW was named the Highest Run-Scorer after amassing 213 runs in four innings, earning a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1,500.