PANAJI: Oxford Cricket Club, Goa, clinched the title with an impressive six-wicket victory over Aim Cricket Academy, Sawantwadi ‘A’ in the final of the Late Rajan Bhai Angane Under-16 Memorial Cup cricket tournament. Yashraj Kalaskar’s brilliant batting laid a strong foundation for Oxford’s triumph. The tournament was organized by Aim Cricket Academy Sawantwadi at the Boarding Ground in Malvan.
After winning the toss, Oxford opted to field first. Aim Cricket Academy Sawantwadi A made a cautious start, but Sahil Metri played aggressively, scoring 40 runs off 32 balls. In the middle order, Fudail Aga contributed 31 runs from 18 balls to steady the innings. However, regular fall of wickets restricted Sawantwadi to 146 runs in 24.5 overs. Extras added 16 runs to the total.
For Oxford, Abhisek Lamani bowled accurately, taking four wickets for 32 runs in six overs. He was well supported by Arnav Naik, who claimed four wickets for 21 runs in five overs. Vedaant Aigal and Farhan Shaikh picked up one wicket each to restrict Sawantwadi’s innings.
Chasing 147, Oxford began cautiously. Rehan Hubali contributed 25 runs at the top. Yashraj Kalaskar then dominated the bowlers with an attacking knock, scoring 87 runs off 79 balls with 14 boundaries and a six, virtually sealing the match. Farhan Shaikh departed early, while Rumaan Mulam added 8 runs. Barhaan Dash remained unbeaten on 20 to guide Oxford past the target. Oxford reached 148 for 4 in 31 overs to register the win.
For Aim’s Sawantwadi, Datteya Naik picked up two wickets, while Mayank Rawool and Piyush Sawant claimed one each. However, the modest target allowed Oxford’s batsmen to play composed cricket and secure victory.
Oxford Cricket Club’s success was marked by mutual appreciation between the academy and the club management.
Head Coach of NXTGen Cricket Academy, Keenan Vaz, expressed gratitude to Bunty Bhai, owner of Oxford Cricket Club, for offering NXTGen trainees a valuable platform to showcase their talent across tournaments in Goa and Maharashtra. He noted that such opportunities play a vital role in shaping young cricketers and said the academy takes immense pride in the partnership, which continues to create pathways for players. Vaz added that the collaboration would help both sides grow stronger and achieve greater milestones together.
Oxford Cricket Club owner Romeen Mulam, in turn, thanked NXTGen Cricket Academy for its exceptional training, dedication, and constant support. He emphasized that champions on the field are built through proper guidance off it, and described the victory as a shared achievement between the club and the academy. Mulam also acknowledged the role of Head Coach Keenan Vaz in nurturing and developing the team, expressing hope for many more successes through the continued partnership.
Those who played key roles in Oxford Cricket Club’s triumph included Head Coach Keenan Vaz, Assistant Coach Tousif Mulla, and Mentor Sandeep Naik.
Individual Awards:
Man of the Match: Abhisek Lamani (Oxford CC, Goa)
Best Bowler: Mayank Rawool (Aim Cricket Academy, Sawantwadi)
Best Batsman: Sumedh Parab (Aim Cricket Academy, Sawantwadi)
Best Fielder: Farhan Shaikh (Oxford CC, Goa)
Best Wicketkeeper: Archit Datar (Millennium Cricket Academy, Sangli)
Player of the Series: Farhan Shaikh (Oxford CC, Goa)
Brief Scores:
Aim Cricket Academy Sawantwadi `A-146 all out in 24.5 overs (Sahil Metri 40, Fudail Aga 31, Yash Patkar 20, Extras 16; Arnav Naik 4/21, Abhisek Lamani 4/32, Vedaant Aigal 1/35, Farhan Shaikh 1/7) lost to
Oxford CC, Goa – 148/4 in 31 overs (Yashraj Kalaskar 87, Rehan Hubali 25, Barhaan Dash not out 20, Extras 4; Datteya Naik 2/24, Mayank Rawool 1/36, Piyush Sawant 1/16).
