1st MNCA Women’s U19 T20 Trophy AKSDO, THAU storm into semis as group winners

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 3 : AKSDO, Khangabok and THAU, Thangmeiband completed their league stage sweeps to progress into the semi-finals of the 1st MNCA Women’s U19 T20 Trophy as group winners.
In their final league match staged at Khudeiband Lampak, AKSDO fought their way to 83 for 8 in 18.1 overs for the fourth straight Group A victory after  YPHUC elected to bat first and posted a lowly total of 81/8.
YPHUC suffered double whammy early losing both the openers on ducks. One down batter Japani Irom (31 off 43 balls; 1 four) and number 4 batter Wangthoibi Nongthombam (17 off 35 balls; 1 four)  combined for a partnership of 57 runs.
Things turned downhill after their departures and never recovered as the AKSDO bowlers kept things tight with their accurate and incisive bowling performances.
Laishram Linthoi (2/14 in 3 overs) and Henthoisana Takhellambam (2/7 in 3 overs) shared a bulk of 4 key wickets for AKSDO as Rabina Khundrakpam (1/7), Bijiya Khundrakpam (1/16) and Thokchom Langlen (1/7) picked a wicket apiece.
Chasing 82 for the victory, AKSDO also did not start on a good note despite opener Taniya Ningthoujam’s gritty 23 off 24 balls. They were on a spot of bother as they kept losing wickets and slipped to 56/8 in 11.4 overs with Usham Saliza (2/22 in 4 overs) and Khaidem Divya Luxmi (2/14 in 4 overs) sharing 4 crucial wickets for YPHUC.
However, Rabina Khundrakpam (21 not out off 27 balls; 2 fours) and Lucyrani Khundrakpam (5 not out off 20 balls) put in a brave effort to resurrect the innings and took the team to the victory.
Henthoisana Takhellambam, who picked two crucial wickets for AKSDO, was adjudged player of the match
THAU cruise to fourth win
Elsewhere at THAU ground, THAU restricted TCMDC to 55/2 before easing to the target in 9.1 overs with 7 wickets to spare and registered their fourth win on the trot.
Asked to bat first, TCMDC were slow off the blocks and were 6/1 in 7.2 overs losing opener Ch Priyadasni on a 21-ball duck. The run rate never improved as THAU bowlers proved to be on top and further left TCMDC struggling at 32/2 after 14.2 overs with Thokchom Purni removing Laishram Lanchenbi on a 48-ball 12.
One down batter Ningthoisana (38 not out off 39 balls) and Wahengbam Malem (3 not out) then added 23 runs for the third wicket to take TCMDC to 55/2 in 20 overs.
Purni returned with the best figures of 1/14 in this over as five others maintained perfect economies.
In reply, THAU lost M Creety on a 10-ball 5 before  Robeni  (12 off 13 balls) and Surangini Kangabam (19 off 10 balls) added 28 runs for the second wicket to keep the chase a boost.
THAU were 50/3 in 8.2 overs as Ningthoisana Thoudam bowled out Surangini but Moirangthem Yaiphaba (8 not out off 8 balls) and Konjengbam Nonibala (5 not out off 5 balls) made sure THAU seal the victory within 9.1 overs.
 Thoithoibi Ahongsangbam, was adjudged player of the match.