RCA, PCC set up MNCA Men's U-23 Trophy final showdown
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 12 2025: RCA and PCC stormed into the final of the 2nd MNCA Men's U-23 Haobam Biramangol Singh Memorial Trophy 2024-25, following their semifinal victories on Saturday.

RCA delivered a masterclass in bowling and composed batting to thrash AKSDO by 9 wickets in their semifinal clash at Model Hr Secondary & Oriental College Ground.

RCA needed just 9 overs to chase down a dismal target of 39 after skittling AKSDO for a shocking 38 .

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, AKSDO's innings unravelled spectacularly from the outset.

Their top order crumbled against RCA's disciplined bowling attack, with opener Laishram Samson Meetei dismissed for a duck in the very first over.

The middle order fared no better - only three batsmen managed to reach double figures, and extras (9) ended up as the second-highest contributor.

The destruction was spear-headed by Aziz Mirza, whose fiery spell of 7 overs yielded 4 wickets for just 9 runs, including the crucial dismissals of captain Bishorjit Mangang and Borish Khudrakpam.

Equally impressive was Naesh Hussain, whose miserly figures of 4.1-3-1-3 strangled any hope of an AKSDO recovery.

The innings folded in just 17.1 overs, leaving RCA with a laughably small target.

With just 39 runs needed, RCA's openers approached the chase with calm assurance.

Captain Syed Hussain led from the front, smashing a quickfire 21 off 26 balls, including two boundaries and a towering six.

His dismissal at 30/1, caught off Rohit Laishram's bowling, was the only hiccup in an otherwise flawless chase.

Md Alfash (7) and Md.Imran Khan (3) saw the team home without further drama, sealing victory in just 9 overs.

The other semifinal saw PCC outplay YUCC by 4 wickets at Public Ground, Khangabok.

The match showcased a tense battle between bat and ball, with PCC chasing down a modest target of 126 in 28 overs.

Having won the toss, YUCC captain Ningthoujam Sanjit Singh elected to bat first on what appeared to be a challenging surface.

His decision backfired early as the team lost opener Laishram Bidyashwor Singh for just 3 runs in the 5th over.

Wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter, with only Kadanjit Moirangthem showing any real resistance with a well-compiled 40 off 47 deliveries, including six boundaries.

The middle order collapsed spectacularly, with three batsmen departing for single-digit scores.

PCC's bowling attack maintained relentless pressure, with Anjan Loitongbam (3/26) and Rojer Laishram (2/17) being particularly economical.

YUCC were eventually bundled out for 125 in 28.2 overs, leaving their bowlers with a modest total to defend.

The chase began disastrously for PCC as they lost opener Rahis Khan in the very first over, clean bowled by YUCC skipper Sanjit Singh.

When Lucky Thokchom was run out without scoring in the 3rd over, PCC found themselves reeling at 6/2 .

However, Takhelmayum Vikash (30 off 51 balls) and Maverick Wakambam (10 off 35) steadied the innings with a cautious 32-run partnership.

The match turned decisively in the 20th over when PCC captain Bobby Meitei Khangembam walked in and unleashed a counter-attacking innings.

His blistering 32 off just 25 balls, including two fours and a massive six, swung momentum firmly in PCC's favor.

Though he fell with just 9 runs needed, Boocker Kangujam finished the job in style, hitting a six to seal victory in the 28th over.

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