Itkhola AC win APCC title with thrilling one-wicket victory

By Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Itkhola Athletic Club of Silchar edged out Trianga Cricket Coaching Centre, Barpeta by one wicket to win the 7th Assam Premier Club Championship (APCC) 2024–25 title at Judges Field today. Despite a heroic bowling display from Dipankar Paul, who took an impressive 6-19 for Trianga CCC, Itkhola AC held their nerve till the end to claim the title.

Invited to bat first Trianga CCC quickly found themselves in trouble. The opening batter, Kabir Hassan Deshmukh, fought a lone battle, top-scoring with 44 runs from 55 balls, which included three boundaries and a six. Captain Ranjan Bikash Das, second batter in the team who scored double-digit run, contributed a crucial 17 runs batting at number nine.

Hritwik Dhar, who was in good form in the competition, once again came out with good performance and took 3 wickets for 15 runs in his seven-over spell. Harsh Kumar, Sadek Imran Choudhury, and Ikramul Ali also chipped in, claiming two wickets each as Trianga CCC were bowled out for just 97 in 29.1 overs.

In reply, Itkhola AC were once cruising well and reached at 67 for 3, but Trianga CCC made a dramatic comeback thanks to Paul’s stunning spell. The bowler, brought on as the sixth change, tore through Itkhola’s batting lineup, taking 6 wickets for 19 runs in 7 overs. At one point, Itkhola was struggling at 83 for 9, but Hritwik Dhar (5) and Avay Kumar Yadav (13) held their ground in a crucial last-wicket stand, ensuring their side’s first-ever APCC title with a thrilling one-wicket win.

The award ceremony was graced by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, ACA Secretary Tridib Konwar, former cricketer Naba Konwar and Satya Gopal Chakraborty, GSA Joint Secretary Kajal Paul Chaudhury and other dignitaries. Saikia, while congratulating the winners, praised the character Itkhola AC showed in such a tense contest. “Itkhola Athletic Club displayed excellent composure under pressure, and this victory was truly well-deserved,” he said. Saikia also applauded the competitive spirit of all the teams involved in the tournament.

Brief Scores: Trianga CCC: 97 (29.1 overs), Kabir Hassan Deshmukh 41; Hritwik Dhar 3/15, Itkhola AC: 101/9  (31.2 overs), Sourav Saha 16, Ram Chandra Das 16; Dipankar Paul 6/19, Pritish Raharoy 2/28)

Individual Awards: Man of the Match: Hritwik Dhar (Itkhola AC). Best Batter: Kabir Hassan Deshmukh (Trianga CCC). Best Bowler: Hritwik Dhar (Itkhola AC). Player of the Tournament: Hritwik Dhar (Itkhola AC).

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