By Our Reporter
Shillong, April 2: Friends United and Cricket Smit booked their places in the final of the 5th District League T20 Cricket Tournament 2026, organised by the East Khasi Hills Cricket Association, after registering hard-fought wins in their respective semifinals on a rain-affected day.
In a match reduced to 12 overs due to rain, Sohra Combine won the toss and opted to field against Friends United. Batting first, Friends United posted a competitive 114 for 4, with E. Nathan A Diengdoh leading the charge with a composed 42 off 30 deliveries.
Darius Rani was the pick of the bowlers for Sohra Combine, returning figures of 3 for 26 in his three overs and keeping the scoring in check.In reply, Sohra Combine were bowled out for 102 in their allotted 12 overs, falling short by 12 runs in a closely contested encounter. Jona Lyngdoh Nonglait top-scored with 30 off 22 balls, but lacked sufficient support from the rest of the batting line-up.
Nangkiewkor Moore Don delivered a match-winning spell for Friends United, claiming 3 wickets for just 11 runs in his three overs to derail the chase. He was subsequently named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution.
In the second semifinal, Mawphlang CC elected to bowl first after winning the toss against Cricket Smit. Batting first, Cricket Smit managed 93 for 8 in their 12 overs, with Pynkhrawbok Thabah emerging as the top scorer with a brisk 34 off 19 balls.
Bankit impressed with the ball for Mawphlang CC, picking up 2 wickets for 19 runs in his two-over spell.
Chasing 94, Mawphlang CC fell short, finishing at 83 for 6 in 12 overs despite a steady 33 off 31 balls from Kyrshanlang Lyngdoh. Cricket Smit bowlers kept things tight throughout, not allowing the required momentum to build. Thabah capped off an all-round performance by also picking up 2 wickets for 14 runs in his three overs, playing a key role in his team’s 10-run victory. He was adjudged Player of the Match.
With these results, Friends United and Cricket Smit will now face off in the final, setting up an intriguing contest between two in-form sides. And so, after a day shaped as much by the rain as by resilience, the tournament now narrows down to its final, decisive chapter. Friends United arrive with momentum built on composure under pressure, their ability to defend totals in shortened formats proving a defining strength. Cricket Smit, on the other hand, carry the confidence of a balanced unit—one that has found contributors with both bat and ball at the right time. In conditions where margins are expected to be thin and every over could tilt the balance, the final promises to be less about flair and more about temperament, execution and clarity of thought.
